Books by Mary Baker Eddy

SPIRIT AND LAW
page 161

SPIRIT AND LAW

We are accustomed to think and to speak of gravitation
as a law of matter; while every quality of matter,
in and of itself, is inert, inanimate, and non-intelligent.
The assertion that matter is a law, or a lawgiver, is
anomalous. Wherever law is, Mind is; and the notion

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that Mind can be in matter is rank infidelity, which either
excludes God from the universe, or includes Him in every
mode and form of evil. Pantheism presupposes that
God sleeps in the mineral, dreams in the animal, and
wakes in a wicked man.
The distinction between that which is and that which
is not law, must be made by Mind and as Mind. Law is
either a moral or an immoral force. The law of God is
the law of Spirit, a moral and spiritual force of immortal
and divine Mind. The so-called law of matter is an
immoral force of erring mortal mind, alias the minds of
mortals. This so-called force, or law, at work in nature
as a power, prohibition, or license, is cruel and merciless.
It punishes the innocent, and repays our best deeds
with sacrifice and suffering. It is a code whose modes
trifle with joy, and lead to immediate or ultimate death.
It fosters suspicion where confidence is due, fear where
courage is requisite, reliance where there should be
avoidance, a belief in safety where there is most
danger. Our Master called it "a murderer from the
beginning."
Electricity, governed by this so-called law, sparkles
on the cloud, and strikes down the hoary saint. Floods
swallow up homes and households; and childhood, age,
and manhood go down in the death-dealing wave. Earthquakes
engulf cities, churches, schools, and mortals.
Cyclones kill and destroy, desolating the green earth.
This pitiless power smites with disease the good Samaritan
ministering to his neighbor's need. Even the chamber
where the good man surrenders to death is not exempt
from this law. Smoothing the pillow of pain may infect
you with smallpox, according to this lawless law which

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dooms man to die for loving his neighbor as himself, -
when Christ has said that love is the fulfilling of the
law.
   Our great Ensample, Jesus of Nazareth, met and abolished
this unrelenting false claim of matter with the
righteous scorn and power of Spirit. When, through
Mind, he restored sight to the blind, he figuratively and
literally spat upon matter; and, anointing the wounded
spirit with the great truth that God is All, he demonstrated
the healing power and supremacy of the law of
Life and Love.
   In the spiritual Genesis of creation, all law was vested
in the Lawgiver, who was a law to Himself. In divine
Science, God is One and All; and, governing Himself,
He governs the universe. This is the law of creation:
"My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in
heart." And that infinite Mind governs all things. On
this infinite Principle of freedom, God named Himself,
I AM. Error, or Adam, might give names to itself,
and call Mind by the name of matter, but error could
neither name nor demonstrate Spirit. The name, I
AM, indicated no personality that could be paralleled
with it; but it did declare a mighty individuality,
even the everlasting Father, as infinite consciousness,
ever-presence, omnipotence; as all law, Life, Truth, and
Love.
   God's interpretation of Himself furnishes man with
the only suitable or true idea of Him; and the divine
definition of Deity differs essentially from the human.
It interprets the law of Spirit, not of matter. It explains

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