apeutics, the conditions of environment and harmonious influence
that are essential to success. In the case of Jairus' daughter they are
fully set forth. He kept the unbelievers away, "put them all out," and
permitting only the father and mother, with his closest friends and
followers, Peter, James, and John, in the chamber with him, and having thus
the most perfect obtainable environment, he raised the daughter to life.
"Not in blind caprice of will,
Not in cunning sleight of skill,
Not for show of power, was wrought
Nature's marvel in thy thought."
In a previous article we have referred to cyclic changes that came during
the last quarter of preceding centuries. Of our remarkable nineteenth
century not the least eventful circumstance is the advent of Christian
Science. That it should be the work of a woman is the natural outcome of a
period notable for her emancipation from many of the thraldoms, prejudices,
and oppressions of the past. We do not, therefore, regard it as a mere
coincidence that the first edition of Mrs. Eddy's Science and Health should
have been published in 1875. Since then she has revised it many times, and
the ninety-first edition is announced. Her discovery was first called, "The
Science of Divine Metaphysical Healing." Afterward she selected the name
Christian Science. It is based upon what is held to be scientific
certainty, namely,--that all causation is of Mind, every effect has its
origin in desire and thought. The theology--if we may use the word--of
Christian Science is contained in the volume entitled "Science and Health
with Key to the Scriptures."
The present Boston congregation was organized April 19, 1879, and has now
over four thousand members. It is regarded as the parent organization, all
others being branches, though each is entirely independent in the
management of its own affairs. Truth is the sole recognized authority. Of
actual members of different congregations there are between one hundred
thousand and two hundred thousand. One or more organized societies have
sprung up in New York, Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinnati,
Philadelphia, Detroit, Toledo, Milwaukee, Madison, Scranton, Peoria,
Atlanta, Toronto, and nearly every other centre of population, besides a
large and growing number of receivers of the faith among the members of all
the churches and non-church-going people. In some churches a majority of
the members are Christian Scientists, and, as a
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