By Ernest C. Rodwick 1920
Introductory comment by Herbert W.
Eustace, C.S.B. San Jose, California April 1950
Dear
FellowScientist: You, as a Christian Scientist or indeed as any
thoughtful man or women, will find the accompanying "Story" of vital interest
although there is nothing of pure Christian Science in it. Jesus used parables
to illustrate special points in his teaching of pure Christianity and this
"Story" should be taken as a parable which illustrates perfectly the fact that
hypnotic suggestion cannot deceive a mind which has fortified itself with the
truth about any fact or circumstance which presents itself negatively.
In this account of Professor Herman von
Scholtz's research into hypnotism the point is brought out that he resisted
every effort of the Hindu hypnotist to deceive him, as long as the suggestions
came as abnormalities, as startling and unusual experiences, but was tempted to
yield to the suggestions of "normal" hunger and thirst. To the Professor
"normal" matter was real even though he had fortified himself against believing
in any unusual manifestations which the Hindu adept might appear to
conjure.
It has been 75 years since SCIENCE AND
HEALTH was given to the world in 1875, with its thunderous message "There is no
life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and
its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all."
Do you as a Christian Scientist believe
this? Do you accept what you call "normal matter" as real and then attempt to
abolish "abnormal matter" as Professor von Scholtz was almost tricked into
doing?
In SCIENCE AND HEALTH Mrs. Eddy declares
"animal magnetism or hypnotism is the specific term for error, or mortal mind."
This means, of course, the entirety of mortal belief whether it presents itself
as so-called normal or abnormal. Anything calling itself material is an
hypnotic illusion, the product of animal magnetism operating as malicious
minds. Its effects can be nullified only by the realization that divine Mind is
the one and only Mind and that this Mind embraces within itself all
manifestation, hence all normality, all perfection.
Basically you understand that you are
dealing alone with God every instant and that this dealing, humanly interpreted
or translated in the language of the negation, appears as dealing with "animal
magnetism or hypnotism." Then how essential, as Paul said, to "Awake thou that
sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Is it not
being "dead," to continue to be in darkness to what is really, in belief,
operating as the enemy of mankind-hypnotic suggestion? Is not the "light" to
awaken one from this "dead" the Christ, the truth that man as the activity of
God is ever awake to all good and especially to understanding the subtlety of
direction by malicious minds as the negation of direction by divine Mind?
Very sincerely yours, HERBERT W.
EUSTACE |