Christian Science. Марк Твен

1866. That is the immortal date when pain and disease and death disappeared from the earth to return no more forever. That is, the fancies for which those terms stand disappeared. The things themselves had never existed; therefore, as soon as it was perceived that there were no such things, they were easily banished. The history and nature of the great discovery are set down in the book here, and – ”

      “Did the lady write the book?”

      “Yes, she wrote it all, herself. The title is Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures – for she explains the Scriptures; they were not understood before. Not even by the twelve Disciples. She begins thus – I will read it to you.”

      But she had forgotten to bring her glasses.

      “Well, it is no matter,” she said. “I remember the words – indeed, all Christian Scientists know the book by heart; it is necessary in our practice. We should otherwise make mistakes and do harm. She begins thus: ‘In the year 1866 I discovered the Science of Metaphysical Healing, and named it Christian Science.’ And She says quite beautifully, I think – ‘Through Christian Science, religion and medicine are inspired with a diviner nature and essence, fresh pinions are given to faith and understanding, and thoughts acquaint themselves intelligently with God.’ Her very words.”

      “It is elegant. And it is a fine thought, too – marrying religion to medicine, instead of medicine to the undertaker in the old way; for religion and medicine properly belong together, they being the basis of all spiritual and physical health. What kind of medicine do you give for the ordinary diseases, such as – ”

      “We never give medicine in any circumstances whatever! We – ”

      “But, madam, it says – ”

      “I don’t care what it says, and I don’t wish to talk about it.”

      “I am sorry if I have offended, but you see the mention seemed in some way inconsistent, and – ”

      “There are no inconsistencies in Christian Science. The thing is impossible, for the Science is absolute. It cannot be otherwise, since it proceeds directly from the All-in-all and the Everything-in-Which, also Soul, Bones, Truth, one of a series, alone and without equal. It is Mathematics purified from material dross and made spiritual.”

      “I can see that, but – ”

      “It rests upon the immovable basis of an Apodictical Principle.”

      The word flattened itself against my mind in trying to get in, and disordered me a little, and before I could inquire into its pertinency, she was already throwing the needed light:

      “This Apodictical Principle is the absolute Principle of Scientific Mind-healing, the sovereign Omnipotence which delivers the children of men from pain, disease, decay, and every ill that flesh is heir to.”

      “Surely not every ill, every decay?”

      “Every one; there are no exceptions; there is no such thing as decay – it is an unreality, it has no existence.”

      “But without your glasses your failing eyesight does not permit you to – ”

      “My eyesight cannot fail; nothing can fail; the Mind is master, and the Mind permits no retrogression.”

      She was under the inspiration of the Third Degree, therefore there could be no profit in continuing this part of the subject. I shifted to other ground and inquired further concerning the Discoverer of the Science.

      “Did the discovery come suddenly, like Klondike, or after long study and calculation, like America?”

      “The comparisons are not respectful, since they refer to trivialities – but let it pass. I will answer in the Discoverer’s own words: ‘God had been graciously fitting me, during many years, for the reception of a final revelation of the absolute Principle of Scientific Mind-healing.’”

      “Many years. How many?”

      “Eighteen centuries!”

      “All – God, God – good, good – God, Truth, Bones, Liver, one of a series, alone and without equal – it is amazing!”

      “You may well say it, sir. Yet it is but the truth This American lady, our revered and sacred Founder, is distinctly referred to, and her coming prophesied, in the twelfth chapter of the Apocalypse; she could not have been more plainly indicated by St. John without actually mentioning her name.”

      “How strange, how wonderful!”

      “I will quote her own words, from her Key to the Scriptures: ‘The twelfth chapter of the Apocalypse has a special suggestiveness in connection with this nineteenth century.’ There – do you note that? Think – note it well.”

      “But – what does it mean?”

      “Listen, and you will know. I quote her inspired words again: ‘In the opening of the Sixth Seal, typical of six thousand years since Adam, there is one distinctive feature which has special reference to the present age. Thus:

      “‘Revelation xii. I. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven – a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.’

      “That is our Head, our Chief, our Discoverer of Christian Science – nothing can be plainer, nothing surer. And note this:

      “‘Revelation xii. 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God.’

      “That is Boston. I recognize it, madam. These are sublime things, and impressive; I never understood these passages before; please go on with the – with the – proofs.”

      “Very well. Listen:

      “‘And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. And he held in his hand a little book.’

      “A little book, merely a little book – could words be modester? Yet how stupendous its importance! Do you know what book that was?”

      “Was it – ”

      “I hold it in my hand – Christian Science!”

      “Love, Livers, Lights, Bones, Truth, Kidneys, one of a series, alone and without equal – it is beyond imagination for wonder!”

      “Hear our Founder’s eloquent words: ‘Then will a voice from harmony cry, “Go and take the little book: take it and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter; but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.” Mortal, obey the heavenly evangel. Take up Divine Science. Read it from beginning to end. Study it, ponder it. It will be, indeed, sweet at its first taste, when it heals you; but murmur not over Truth, if you find its digestion bitter.’ You now know the history of our dear and holy Science, sir, and that its origin is not of this earth, but only its discovery. I will leave the book with you and will go, now; but give yourself no uneasiness – I will give you absent treatment from now till I go to bed.”

      CHAPTER III

      Under the powerful influence of the near treatment and the absent treatment together, my bones were gradually retreating inward and disappearing from view. The good work took a brisk start, now, and went on swiftly. My body was diligently straining and stretching, this way and that, to accommodate the processes of restoration, and every minute or two I heard a dull click inside and knew that the two ends of a fracture had been successfully joined. This muffled clicking and gritting and grinding and rasping continued during the next three hours, and then stopped – the connections had all been made. All except dislocations; there were only seven of these: hips, shoulders, knees, neck; so that was soon over; one after another they slipped into their sockets with a sound like pulling a distant cork, and I jumped up as good as new, as to framework, and sent for the horse-doctor.

      I was obliged to do this because I had a stomach-ache and a cold in the head, and I was not willing to trust these things any longer in the hands of a woman whom I did not know, and whose ability to successfully treat mere disease I had lost all confidence. My position