  It was about the year 1875 that Science and Health first crossed swords with free-love, and the latter fell hors [15] de combat; but the whole warfare of sensuality was not then ended. Science and Health, the book that cast the first stone, is still at work, deep down in human conscious- ness, laying the axe at the root of error. We have taken the precaution to write briefly on mar- [20] riage, showing its relation to Christian Science. In the present or future, some extra throe of error may conjure up a new-style conjugality, which, ad libitum, severs the marriage covenant, puts virtue in the shambles, and coolly notifies the public of broken vows. Springing [25] up from the ashes of free-love, this nondescript phoenix, in the face and eyes of common law, common sense, and common honesty, may appear in the rÔle of a superfine conjugality; but, having no Truth, it will have no past, present, or future. [30] The above prophecy, written years ago, has already [1] been fulfilled. It is seen in Christian Science that the gospel of marriage is not without the law, and the solemn vow of fidelity, “until death do us part;” this verity in human economy can neither be obscured nor throttled. [5] Until time matures human growth, marriage and progeny will continue unprohibited in Christian Science. We look to future generations for ability to comply with absolute Science, when marriage shall be found to be man's one- ness with God,—the unity of eternal Love. At present, [10] more spiritual conception and education of children will serve to illustrate the superiority of spiritual power over sensuous, and usher in the dawn of God's creation, wherein they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels. To abolish marriage at this period, [15] and maintain morality and generation, would put inge- nuity to ludicrous shifts; yet this is possible in Science, although it is to-day problematic. The time cometh, and now is, for spiritual and eternal existence to be recognized and understood in Science. [20] All is Mind. Human procreation, birth, life, and death are subjective states of the human erring mind; they are the phenomena of mortality, nothingness, that illus- trate mortal mind and body as one, and neither real nor eternal. [25] It should be understood that Spirit, God, is the only creator: we should recognize this verity of being, and shut out all sense of other claims. Until this absolute Science of being is seen, understood, and demonstrated in the offspring of divine Mind, and man is perfect even [30] as the Father is perfect, human speculation will go on, and stop at length at the spiritual ultimate: creation understood as the most exalted divine conception. The [1] offspring of an improved generation, however, will go out before the forever fact that man is eternal and has no human origin. Hence the Scripture: “It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;” and the Master's de- [5] mand, “Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” To an ill-attuned ear, discord is harmony; so personal sense, discerning not the legitimate affection of Soul, may place love on a false basis and thereby lose it. Science [10] corrects this error with the truth of Love, and restores lost Eden. Soul is the infinite source of bliss: only high and holy joy can satisfy immortal cravings. The good in human affections should preponderate over the evil, and the spiritual over the animal,—until progress lifts [15] mortals to discern the Science of mental formation and find the highway of holiness. In the order of wisdom, the higher nature of man |
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