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error in solution” (S. & H., p. 372, 1916). According to Christian Science, then, there is no such thing as matter. “ The only evidence o f th£ existence o f a mortal man, or o f a material state and universe, is gath ered from the five personal senses. This delusive evidence, Science has dethroned” (Misc. Writings, pp. 64, 65, 1916). Matter is a delusion o f the mortal mind; mind is the only thing; matter has no existence. VALUE OF EXPERIENCE Dr. E. Y. Mullins says: “ Experience is the foundation o f all philosophy and sci ence ; you cannot have either without exper ience. Experience is to philosophy and sci ence what dough is to the housekeeper. We must take a lump o f experience to make a scientific or philosophical biscuit. Exper ience furnishes the lump from which all science and philosophy are made.” Prof. Bowen says: “ No matter what your sci- , ence or .philosophy is, your experience is the same. You may evolve from your consciousness any sort o f philosophy you wish, and call things by any sort of name your fancy may direct, but when you have dorfe that, you have not altered your exper ience one particle.” Christian Science tells us that “there is no such 'thing as matter” (Misc. Writings, p. 27), that “Matter and evil are unreal.” “But, say you,” (some inquirer asks) “ is a stone spiritual? To erring, mortal, mater ial sense, N o! but to unerring spiritual sense, it is a' small manifestation o f Mind.” “ Take away the mortal sense o f sub stance, and the stone itself would disap pear” (Misc. Writings, pp. 27 and 28). A COBBLESTONE IDEA According to this theory o f matter, then a cobblestone is not matter, but an idea. Suppose, for a moment, that a cobblestone is just an idea, and assume that a man hurls it at you and strikes you on the head with it—it does not affect your experience one particle to be told that the cobblestone is just an idea. Admit, if you wish, that it is an idea, and what hkve you? An ideal man, we will say, hurls an ideal stone, and it strikes an ideal head, causes an ideal pain, raises an ideal bump, requires
an ideal liniment, which is rubbed on an ideal head, thus causing an ideal cure, and so you’ have an all-round ideal experience. Now, I say it does not make a particle o f difference what you call a cobblestone, your experience is just the same. A cob blestone that is an idea, hits your head just as hard as a cobblestone that is not an idea, but matter.- Matter will produce the same experience even if you' call it “mind.” I once heard o f a boy who owned a belligerent billygoat. One day the boy was teasing the animal. The goat stood the teasing as long as he could, and, finally, lowering -his 'head, got ready to make a charge upon the mischievous boy. Natur ally the boy screamed for help. Instantly his mother, who was an ardent Christian Scientist, came to the rescue, and seeing his condition, tried to quiet him by saying : “ Now, my son, be calm; don’t be afraid; the goat can’t hurt you, for the goat is only an idèa ; there is no such thing, really speaking, as a goat ; it’s a delusion o f the mortal mind.” The little fellow, almost dead with fright, screamed out, “Mamma, I know that, and you know that, but the goat don’t know it!” The question is asked: “ How can I believe that there is no such thing as mat ter, when I weigh over two hundred pounds and carry about this weight daily ?” Answer. “By learning that matter is but manifest mortal mind. You entertain an adipose belief o f yourself as substance” (Mise. Writings, pp. 46, 47). According to this theory, you weigh about as much as you think you weigh. Your experience is determined by what you think. Think that you are as light as a feather and you will be no heavier than that frail thing that is tossed about with the slightest breath o f air. A very comforting doctrine for stout people in hot weather ; a good obesity-reducing scheme, surely. In Christian Science the evidence o f the senses is not to be believed nor received. The testimony o f the senses cannot be true (cf. p. 448, 1916). “ Christian Science • • • • declares the corporeal senses to
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