’Yes—­God-all, all-God, good Good, non-Matter, Matteration, Spirit, Bones, Truth.’

‘That explains it.’

’There is nothing in Christian Science that is not explicable; for God is one, Time is one, Individuality is one, and may be one of a series, one of many, as an individual man, individual horse; whereas God is one, not one of a series, but one alone and without an equal.’

’These are noble thoughts.  They make one burn to know more.  How does Christian Science explain the spiritual relation of systematic duality to incidental reflection?’

’Christian Science reverses the seeming relation of Soul and body—­as astronomy reverses the human perception of the movement of the solar system—­and makes body tributary to Mind.  As it is the earth which is in motion, while the sun is at rest, though in viewing the sun rise one finds it impossible to believe the sun not to be really rising, so the body is but the humble servant of the restful Mind, though it seems otherwise to finite sense; but we shall never understand this while we admit that soul is in body, or mind in matter, and that man is included in non-intelligence.  Soul is God, unchangeable and eternal; and man coexists with and reflects Soul, for the All-in-all is the Altogether, and the Altogether embraces the All-one, Soul-Mind, Mind-Soul, Love, Spirit, Bones, Liver, one of a series, alone and without an equal.’

(It is very curious, the effect which Christian Science has upon the verbal bowels.  Particularly the Third Degree; it makes one think of a dictionary with the cholera.  But I only thought this; I did not say it.)

’What is the origin of Christian Science?  Is it a gift of God, or did it just happen?’

’In a sense, it is a gift of God.  That is to say, its powers are from Him, but the credit of the discovery of the powers and what they are for is due to an American lady.’

‘Indeed?  When did this occur?’

’In 1866.  That is the immortal date when pain and disease and death disappeared from the earth to return no more for ever.  That is, the fancies for which those terms stand, disappeared.  The things themselves had never existed; therefore as soon as it was perceived that there were no such things, they were easily banished.  The history and nature of the great discovery are set down in the book here, and—­’

‘Did the lady write the book?’

’Yes, she wrote it all, herself.  The title is “Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures”—­for she explains the Scriptures; they were not understood before.  Not even by the twelve Disciples.  She begins thus—­I will read it to you.’

But she had forgotten to bring her glasses.

‘Well, it is no matter,’ she said, ’I remember the words—­indeed, all Christian Scientists know the book by heart; it is necessary in our practice.  We should otherwise make mistakes and do harm.  She begins thus:  “In the year 1866 I discovered the Science of Metaphysical Healing, and named it Christian Science.”  And she says—­quite beautifully, I think—­“Through Christian Science, religion and medicine are inspired with a diviner nature and essence, fresh pinions are given to faith and understanding, and thoughts acquaint themselves intelligently with God.”  Her very words.’