Thursday, September 2, 2010

"The only incentive of a mistaken sense . . . ."

"The only incentive of a mistaken sense is malicious animal magnetism,--the name of all evil,--and this must be understood." (My 357: 8-10) Incentive: "That which kindles or inflames; . . . That which moves the mind or operates on the passions; that which incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action; that which prompts to good or ill; motive; spur." (SRD)

I apologize to those of you who have grown weary of the subject discussed, however briefly, in the past few entries, but I am more convinced than ever that Christian Scientists ignore it at their peril. However, one's weariness with the topic could be an indication of the secret and invisible influence of this malicious opiate. If you are a loyal, pure, sincere, and diligent student of Christian Science who is unreservedly loyal to Christ Jesus, Mary Baker Eddy, and the Church Manual this malignant evil wants you out of the way, as in, not to put too blunt a point on it, dead, or at least mentally dead. If one is not most watchful and wise he could very well find himself serving unconsciously an error which he would not dream of serving consciously. Color me barmy if you wish, but post a double watch just in case.

There is a sentence relevant to this ongoing monologue, with feedback of course, in Miscellany which is so short--and pungent--that it can easily be overlooked in a distracted blink of an eye. "That error is most forcible which is least distinct to conscience." (My 197: 2-4) Exerpts from the Student's Reference Dictionary (SRD) definitions of two words in that sentence show something of the depth and importance of that simple statement. Forcible: "Powerful; strong; mighty. Violent. Efficacious; active. . . . acting with force; impressive." Conscience: "Internal or self-knowledge, or judgment of right and wrong; or the faculty, power, or principle within us, which decides on the lawfulness or unlawfulness of our own actions and affections, and instantly approves or condemns them. . . . Conscience is called by some writers, the 'moral sense' . . . ." As I write this I have not had time to check if any commenters to the previous, and doubtless thoroughly intriguing, entry found my trifle there thought provoking. It has been said that every tub must stand on its own bottom, but if the corrosive effects of stealthy, insinuating aggressive mental suggestion has eaten it out one's present condition could be far dicier than he supposes.

Note: Have read comments to the previous entry. I appreciate the interest in the poemlet, but I think I overstated the clue's running through it. The little verse is really a stalking-horse of sorts for four carefully placed bread crumbs. Though as I said before, I may be in the minority feeling they lead to a credible threat, but don't be too quick to say it isn't.
A friend (Southwest) gave a pretty good summary of the source of this blog's title, which really goes back to the New Testament, of course. I would say the title has relevance individuals as well as to the movement as a whole.

19 comments:

Cambridge said...

An outstanding essay, Christian. So glad I got to read this!

Supportive practitioner said...

Could not agree with you more, Christian. We ignore what Jesus has commanded us to do, Watch, and refuse to obey our Leader's admonitions at our peril. These are serious times we're living through with the Cause.

W. R. said...

You are the best Christian Science blogger around. No doubt about it!

Close to Boston said...

Aren't we grateful to have a religion that teaches us to know and love God as the Preserver from all evil.
Good blog post.

CS Practitioner (AZ) said...

Mary Baker Eddy did not tell her followers to defend themselves from malicious animal magnetism, or specific malpractice from others, just for the fun of it! She found out the hard way, probably, that we must do this!

Anonymous said...

I am not a member of any C.S. church, and reading this stuff scares me. If Mrs. Eddy is being attacked by the church she founded, it is not evident to those of us on the "outside."

Hartford, CT said...

I for one am not weary of your essays calling for concentrated, no-fooling, wide-awake praying. Continue with your substantive, inspired, devoted-to-CS blogging.
We need it.

Anonymous said...

Wow...this blog is sure interesting.

ALso a Christian said...

"Behold, I give unto all power over all power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Jesus

From Ohio said...

Really got a lot out of this one, Christian. Any totally committed student of our Leader's teachings knows exactly what you are talking about here, and must applaud what you are doing to wake up the Field. Too apathetic about what needs praying about--every single day.

Practitioner (West Coast) said...

It's obvious to me and I'm sure other of your readers that what motivates you in doing this blog is not to unduly distress people, but to stir them mentally and metaphysically to move out of the way those aggressive (and worse at times!) suggestions that would shut one down from demontrating divine Science.

Anonymous said...

Terrific essay,Christian. And that quotation from Mrs. Eddy you lead off with--so arresting. Thanks so much for all you are doing for our Cause.

CS (UK) said...

Thanks for an excellent (and vitally important) essay, Christian.

D.C. said...

I find your website fascinating! Wish I knew who you were and I'd call you up, to discuss many things.

Practitioner (Boston area) said...

God bless you for the sustained giving you are doing, Christian. You are an inspiration!

British fan said...

Unusually fine essay here, Christian. Always a pleasure reading you.

Longtime viewer said...

This was one was well worth my time to read. Not to say that most of yours, Christian, are not. A deeper essay than some others, and I thank you for spending the time it must have taken to do it.

CS (San Diego) said...

A very helpful essay. Have been thinking about several points in it since I read it a couple of days ago.
Thanks so much for posting!

Tampa, FL said...

You're a gem. Keep sharing your inspiration and talent with us, Christian.