ritually or else glided
over. The biblical statement that man's days are few and full of
trouble, and also the assertion that man is prone to wickedness as the
sparks fly upwards, are both very conveniently glossed.

Christian Scientists know the rules of health, just as most people do;
but what is more, they follow them, thus avoiding the disgrace of being
pointed out. They have made sickness not only tabu, but invalidism
ridiculous.

When things become absurd and preposterous, we abandon them.
Unpopularity can do what logic is helpless to bring about. The reasoning
of Christian Scientists is bad, but their intuitions are right.

While denying the existence of matter, no people on earth are as canny,
save possibly the Quakers. A bank-balance to a Christian Scientist is no
barren ideality. It is like falsehood to a Jesuit--a very present help
in time of trouble. Sin, to them, consists in making too much fuss about
life and talking about death. Do what you want and forget it. Quit
talking about the weather, night air, miasma.

Knowingly or unknowingly Christian Scientists cultivate resiliency. They
are proof against drafts and microbes. Eat what you like, but not too
much of it. Be moderate. Christian Scientists get their joy out of their
work. This is essentially hygienic. They breathe deeply, eat moderately,
bathe plentifully, work industriously--and smile. This is all sternly
scientific. It can never be argued down.

No school of medicine has ever offered a prophylactic equal to work and
good-cheer, and no system of religion has ever offered a working formula
for health, happiness and success equal to that launched by Mrs. Eddy.
The science of medicine is a science of palliation.

Christian Scientists avoid the cause of sickness, and thus keep well.

There is no vitality in drugs. Nature cures--obey her. In this matter of
bodily health just a few plain rules suffice. And these rules, fairly
followed, soon grow into a pleasurable habit. Fortunately, we do not
have to oversee our digestion, our circulation, the work of the millions
of pores that form the skin, or the action of the nerves. Folks who get
fussy about their digestion and assume personal charge of their nerves
have "nerves" and are apt to have no digestion.

"I have a pain in my side," said the woman who had no money to the busy
doctor. "Forget it," was the curt advice. Get the Health Habit, and
forget it.

This is the quintessence of Christian Sci