  The Greeks showed a just estimate of the person they called slanderer, when they made the word synonymous [10] with devil. If the simple falsehoods uttered about me were compounded, the mixture would be labelled thus: “Religionists' mistaken views of Mrs. Eddy's book, ‘Sci- ence and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and the malice aforethought of sinners.” [15] That I take opium; that I am an infidel, a mesmerist, a medium, a “pantheist;” or that my hourly life is prayerless, or not in strict obedience to the Mosaic Decalogue,— is not more true than that I am dead, as is oft reported. The St. Louis Democrat is alleged to have reported my [20] demise, and to have said that I died of poison, and bequeathed my property to Susan Anthony. The opium falsehood has only this to it: Many years ago my regular physician prescribed morphine, which I took, when he could do no more for me. Afterwards, [25] the glorious revelations of Christian Science saved me from that necessity and made me well, since which time I have not taken drugs, with the following exception: When the mental malpractice of poisoning people was first undertaken by a mesmerist, to test that malprac- [1] tice I experimented by taking some large doses of mor- phine, to see if Christian Science could not obviate its effect; and I say with tearful thanks, “The drug had no effect upon me whatever.” The hour has struck, [5] —“If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them.” The false report that I have appropriated other people's manuscripts in my works, has been met and answered legally. Both in private and public life, and especially [10] through my teachings, it is well known that I am not a spiritualist, a pantheist, or prayerless. The most devout members of evangelical churches will say this, as well as my intimate acquaintances. None are permitted to re- main in my College building whose morals are not un- [15] questionable. I have neither purchased nor ordered a drug since my residence in Boston; and to my knowledge, not one has been sent to my house, unless it was something to remove stains or vermin. The report that I was dead arose no doubt from the [20] combined efforts of some malignant students, expelled from my College for immorality, to kill me: of their mental design to do this I have proof, but no fear. My heavenly Father will never leave me comfortless, in the amplitude of His love; coming nearer in my need, more tenderly to [25] save and bless. |
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