“If a person tells you a lie, where does it come from?” Katherine quietly inquired.

“From his own evil desire to deceive, of course.”

“Exactly; it was an invention of his own evil thought, prompted by some selfish motive.  You can say the same of theft, murder—­in fact of all crime.  But God—­Good—­is not the author of the lie, or crime, neither does He ‘permit them for some wise purpose,’ as you have quoted, any more than a just and loving human father would teach, or permit, his son to become a criminal, claiming that he needed such discipline to fit him for future happiness; or, any more than you, a teacher, would put demoralizing literature into the hands of a student as a method of discipline for higher education.”

“How perfectly absurd that sounds!  And yet it is parallel to the doctrine that has been taught for ages,” said Miss Reynolds, thoughtfully.  “But I do not see how you can apply the same logic to disease and suffering.”

“The Scriptures tell us that sin brought death.’  Sickness and disease are the seeds of death; then they are the results of sin-evil.  God not being the author of sin and disease, they, like the lie, can only originate in the evil thought or mind of the sinner,” Katherine explained.

“Then you believe that we mortals are alone responsible for all the suffering and evil there is in the world?”

“Yes; evil is a mortal concept.”

“Then how does God—–­What is God, from your standpoint, Kath—­may I call you Katherine?” and Miss Reynolds laid a caressing hand upon the girl’s arm as she made this request.

“Do—­I should so like to have you,” she replied, turning to her with a luminous smile.  “Now for your question.  God is Spirit, and ‘What the Scriptures declare Him to be—­Life, Truth and Love,’” [Footnote:  “’Science and Health,” page 330.] she added, quoting from her text-book.

“You say Spirit, instead of ‘a spirit.’  Now what is this Spirit?”

“Infinite Mind, Intelligence, Omnipotent Good.”

“Ah!” Miss Reynolds began, then paused abruptly.  “But intelligence, life, truth, love are characteristics, attributes which anyone may possess and cultivate.”

“Yes, considered in that sense they are attributes.  But whence came they?” Katherine demanded, with glowing eyes.  “The source of life must be Life itself, must it not?  The same must also be true of truth and love.  So Life, Truth, Love, Mind, Intelligence constitute, in Science, the Divine Principle, or God, the controlling and governing power of the universe and man.”

“Divine Principle!  Mind!  Intelligence!  Life!  Truth!  Love!  God!” repeated Miss Reynolds, and dwelling thoughtfully upon each word.  Then, turning a wondering look upon her companion, she exclaimed, almost breathlessly: