I have not yet found time to avail myself of the privilege of another interview with youEditorial Note: While living in Concord, Phalen became well acquainted with Eddy and interviewed her in November 1897 to learn more about Christian Science. but shall improve the first opportunity with the utmost pleasure.
Hope you have finished the first reading of our text bookEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Its last Chapter is only the logical conclusion of its first and it may seem less abstract because it is nearer the present thought's acceptations of the Revelator's vision while in the flesh.
Christian Science like all Science must be discovered or learned. It is not a native of the senses and cometh not with observationLuke 17:20 ¶And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. . St. Paul had clear views of this fact. Indeed the testimony of or the evidence before the senses contradict it but not more flatly than they disputed the facts of astronomy and then accepted them through the understanding.
The only reason that Christian Science is not as generally admitted to be a Science as astronomy is that it is not as generally understood. The Spirit and the flesh warGal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. on this subject the same as on aught abstract and absolute having a Principle not understood. As St. Paul has it The Spirit and the flesh are not reconciled on any subject inasmuch as they contradict each other. It is only more difficult to understand Christian Science than astronomy because the former wars against the whole mortal man and the latter against only a part of him. For man to be at peace with himself he must understand, the Science of man then he naturally loves the divine Principle of his being and his neighbor that is akin to him in being and demonstrates God, Good as the Principle of goodness.
In the ratio that one understands Christian Science it becomes to him simple and demonstrable he proves its truth by seeing it heal the sick and reform the sinner. This fact is as capable of proof as mathematics. No man can accept this ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science without understanding it in a degree. Mere human ipse dixit is no aid to it and this fact removes it from charlatanism or dogmatism.
Please pardon my prolixity I never know where to stop on this subject.
Most truly