The Abuse of Mental Practice
From the first I found it difficult to instruct students how to heal through Mind alone. I knew that I could heal the sick without material means but my first students could not heal as I did.
Some of them undertook to apply Quimby’s methods but did not succeed in so applying Christian Science, and dropped the practice or waited until they were spiritually fitted As Written: fited for this exalted work.
This Science was unfolded to me gradually as I have stated in the preface to S & H.Editorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
My first Students will say that I did not know that mental practice As Written: practise could be abused. I did not take up the subject until my students insisted that I teach them how to defend themselves from evil minds.
I have never countenanced any method in Christian Science which is not to be found in the Bible. For a short time I permitted Students when attacked, to defend themselves with the Old Testament methodEditorial Note: See L10663., but this I very soon countermanded.