Mind Cure
361
false principles. It is foreign to the nature and spirit of Christ. It does
not lead to Him who is life and salvation. The one who attracts minds
to himself leads them to separate from the true Source of their strength.
It is not God’s purpose that any human being should yield his mind
and will to the control of another, becoming a passive instrument in his
hands. No one is to merge his individuality in that of another. He is not
to look to any human being as the source of healing. His dependence
must be in God. In the dignity of his God-given manhood, he is to be
controlled by God Himself, not by any human intelligence.
God desires to bring men into direct relation with Himself. In
all His dealings with human beings He recognizes the principle of
personal responsibility. He seeks to encourage a sense of personal
dependence, and to impress the need of personal guidance. He desires
to bring the human into association with the divine, that men may
be transformed into the divine likeness. Satan works to thwart this
purpose. He seeks to encourage dependence upon men. When minds
are turned away from God, the tempter can bring them under his rule.
He can control humanity.
The theory of mind controlling mind was originated by Satan to
introduce himself as the chief worker, to put human philosophy where
divine philosophy should be. Of all the errors that are finding accep-
[346]
tance among professedly Christian people, none is a more dangerous
deception, none more certain to separate man from God, than is this.
Innocent though it may appear, if exercised upon patients it will tend
to their destruction, not to their restoration. It opens a door through
which Satan will enter to take possession both of the mind that is given
up to be controlled by another, and of the mind that controls.
Fearful is the power thus given to evil-minded men and women.
What opportunities it affords to those who live by taking advantage of
other’s weaknesses or follies! How many, through control of minds
feeble or diseased, will find a means of gratifying lustful passion or
greed of gain!
There is something better for us to engage in than the control of
humanity by humanity. The physician should educate the people to
look from the human to the divine. Instead of teaching the sick to
depend upon human beings for the cure of soul and body, he should
direct them to the One who can save to the uttermost all who come
unto Him. He who made man’s mind knows what the mind needs.