Page:Miscellaneous Writings.djvu/325

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ADVICE TO STUDENTS
299

its results; suffering and mistakes recur until one is awake to their cause and character. To know the what, when, and how of error, destroys error. The error that is seen aright as error, has received its death-blow; but never until then.

Let us look through the lens of Christian Science, not of “self,” at the following mistake, which demands our present attention. I have no time for detailed report of this matter, but simply answer the following question sent to me; glad, indeed, that this query has finally come with the courage of conviction to the minds of many students.

“Is it right to copy your works and read them for our public services?”

The good which the material senses see not is the only absolute good; the evil which these senses see not is the only absolute evil.

If I enter Mr. Smith's store and take from it his garments that are on sale, array myself in them, and put myself and them on exhibition, can I make this right by saying, These garments are Mr. Smith's; he manufactured them and owns them, but you must pay me, not him, for this exhibit?

The spectators may ask, Did he give you permission to do this, did he sell them or loan them to you? No. Then have you asked yourself this question on the subject, namely, What right have I to do this? True, it saves your purchasing these garments, and gives to the public new patterns which are useful to them; but does this silence your conscience? or, because you have confessed that they are the property of a noted firm, and you wished to handle them, does it justify you in appro-