Principle to the Eddyist doctrine is arguing against the problem of that ailment oppressing the patient, in such a manner that the problem itself can be argued out of existence.

"This problem is not real, it is an illusion." screams the "Christian Scientist," at the client who is generally paying for this service.

Of course, all such rants must conform to the methods and only the methods taught by the founder of their cult: Mary Baker Eddy.

The Eddyist principle of Biblical interpretation differs quite a bit from that of the Gnostics and Cabbalists. They may deny it ever so vociferously but the fact remains. But it is not this philosophic axe-head that cures: it is the blade.

But what is the blade in Christian Science?

The suggestion persistently dinned into the patient's ears on this wise: "You are not sick. There is no matter: God is All: God is Spirit, Mind: Spirit is All: Deny sin, sickness and death. Your sickness is a delusion of mortal mind. You are well."

The same old shining blade of suggestion.

While the suggestive principle of Eddyism is psychologically valid: the philosophy of it is absurd; the religion of it is ridiculous.

As we have earlier learned, the Orthodox message was forced into the Scriptures and then read out, in many cases in languages their congregations could not understand, thus the Master's words have been compelled to bear their own cross to the place of their crucifixion. The Christian Scientists are no exception to the principle of editing out what one does not agree with then "gilding the lilly" in a quest to make a Divine creation even more beautiful. The result is simply the replacement of natural beauty with a derivation that deprives rather than supports.

In a Western city a prominent Christian Science healer was accidentally overheard to say to another Christian Scientist,

"God! God! --- There's no God in it. It's nothing but Mind, and you know it. The notions a lot of these people have when they come to us disgust me!"

The person, who was at that time a follower of Mrs. Eddy, rushed away to a healer in the place and in amazement reported what had been heard.

"Did you hear that?" inquired the healer.

"I certainly did," replied the person.

"I am very sorry you have advanced so rapidly," was the astounding response from the healer.

On the rocks of such incidents, which could be multiplied indefinitely, the claim of Christian Science rests upon the same foundations as the fictions created by those calling themselves "Orthodox" or "proper" Christians. In the same manner as those ancient editors of current "Orthodox" bible, Eddyists fervently disgard those portions of the bible that don't suit them.

It has been pointed out by one writer that the word "God" may be marked out of "Science and Health" everywhere it occurs without the slightest effect on the message of that book. In fact some teachers advocate simply replacing the word "God" with "Good."

Volumes of pious verbiage piled up in meaningless heaps cannot change the foundation facts; interminable lectures calculated to dark counsel cannot make black into white. I have never yet heard a lecture on Christian Science which went to the heart of the matter. Perhaps this is because they do not believe that "Matter" is real. Although I have heard a good many lectures by Christian Scientists, they are invariably the parroted words of their founder without a lick of creative input, or thoughtful reflection on the presenter's part.