I was ignorant at that time of the nature and effects of Animal Magnetism. Since then I have investigated the different forms of this so-called mind-cure, in order to compare it with Christian Science. These researches have convinced me that Mr. Quimby's practice was the mortal mind-cure, on a material basis, — even one belief displacing another. This is the antipodes of Christian Science, which rests on the divine Mind as its Principle of healing, and on the understanding of this Mind for its healthy and holy influence over the human mind and body. I never heard Mr. Quimby say that he treated disease mentally, and he left no writings to this effect. He believed in matter, and employed it as the visible agent of his cure.
Mr. Quimby did undoubtedly originate advanced thoughts on what may be termed “Mind-cure on a Material Basis” — which is a kingdom divided against itself.
Christian Science is predicated of no such materialistic premises, and deals with no material cause or effect, but definitely discloses the fact that such premises and conclusions are more or less Animal Magnetism. This I now understand; but knew nothing of these points of mental healing until I discovered the Science of Mind healing.
DISCOVERY OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
It was in Massachusetts, in the year 1866, and after Mr. Quimby had passed away, that I discovered the Science of Divine Metaphysical Healing, which I afterwards named Christian Science. The discovery came to pass in this way. During twenty years prior to my discovery I had been trying to trace all physical effects to a mental cause; and in the January of 1866 I gained the scientific certainty that all causation was Mind, and every effect a mental phenomenon.
