HYPNOTISM AND CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21940, 14 November 1936, Page 10

HYPNOTISM AND CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

TO THB EDITOR OF THE PRESS. gi r> —When I quoted from “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” in my last letter, I reasoned that your readers would conclude that students of Christian Science would naturally follow what is laid down in the textbook. In order to progress in the study of any subject, one must abide by the rules laid down, so students of Christian Science follow closely the rules given by Mrs Eddy, and do not practise hypnotism, nor do they repeat set phrases. Formulas are forbidden. The only prayers set down are the Lord’s Prayer, with its spiritual interpretation, and a short daily prayer which reads “ ‘Thy kingdom come.’ Let the reign of divine truth, life, and love be established in me and rule out of me all sin, and may Thy word enrich the affections of all mankind and govern them.’’ The Christian Science movement, which is world-wide and ever growing—as it is meeting the needs of mankind—must not be confused with Worthington’s local activity, which passed away, together with his formulas. In the “Christian Science Textbook,” Mrs Eddy writes, "Metaphysics is above physics, and matter does not enter into metaphysical premises or conclusions. The categories of metaphysics rest on one basis, the divine Mind. Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of soul.” These "ideas of soul” are apprehended only by the spiritual senses, which are developed through the study of Christian Science; they cannot be comprehended by the material senses. Paul writes in his epistle to the Colossians, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”—Yours, etc., EDGAR G. HARRIS. Christian Science Committee on Publication for the South Island of New Zealand. November 12, 1936. TO THE EDITOR OF THE "HESS. Sir,—Under the heading “Hypnotism and Christian Science” two correspondents have been dealing with public reaction to hypnotic influences. Mr Lovell-Smith writes of an active fighter, and “Peaceful” is more content to let things take the easy way. I should like to suggest that man, being an upright being, is. or normally should be, upright, not downright in his reasonings, whereas the animals are controlled laterally, as their spinal arrangement confirms. No delusion is required to realise that man. being cast in the image of his Creator, has the gift of the godhead, whereas the animal kingdom has not yet attained to that height. And he therefore has the privilege of choice and selectivity, and deciding right from wrong. Man is not all mind plus matter, but a threefold composition, including soul, or spirit, whichever one chooses to call the real, and everlasting part of him, the survival portion. That being so, did he not exercise that sacred self in choice, choosing the higher and better way. and rejecting the lower or degrading, then he is acting no better than if he also were an animal. One takes the high way and another takes the low way, as the song tells us. But, having the right of choice, we evolve quicker by taking the high way, and our progress is also steadier, and more acceptable. The “better man” (i.e., self) wins. Of course, things run in pairs. Another popular song owes its popularity to its ludicrous collection of paired words and situations, but Man must be a reasonable being, and able to choose the good and reject and discard the bad. There is such a thing as too much peace. It may mean too little spine. It took a world war to awaken some to that fact, quite recently. It is easy to yield to temptation, but the overcomer will always look higher. Be never weary in well-doing.—Yours, etc., I.H. November 12, 1936. TO THE EDITOR OF THB PRESS. Sir, —“Peaceful” is making a mistake in his statement that Christian Scientists practise hypnotism. They certainly do not, and, moreover, would never dream of practising anything strictly condemned by their leader, Mrs Eddy. To them Mrs Eddy is the messenger of truth to this age, and to all future ages. Mr Worthington did not call himself a Christian Scientist, but “A student of truth,” which he proved he was not by dying in gaol. Christian Scientists distinguish between the real men, ‘‘made in God’s image and likeness,” spiritual and eternal; and the Adam man, temporary and material, a counterfeit only. The material senses have no hope of understanding Christian Science as it is only spiritually discerned; therefore argument is useless.—Yours, etc. SOUTH CANTERBURY CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST. November 11, 1936.