If you believe in inflamed and weak nerves, you are liable to an attack from that source. You will call it Neuralgia, but I call it Illusion. If you believe that consumption is hereditary in your family, or may be induced by severe colds, you are liable to the development of that belief, in the form of what is termed pulmonary disease. If you believe a climate or atmosphere to be unhealthy, it will be so to you. Your fears will master you, whichever direction they take.
Reverse the case. Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you may control yourself harmoniously.
When the condition is present that you say induces disease, whether it be air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, then perform your office as porter, shutting out these unwelcome guests. Exercise the mind's authority over the body, and protest against entertaining aught that you would exclude. Nothing can affect your body to the issues of pain or pleasure, unless the mind fears it, and — like a frightened watchman forsaking his post — admits the intruder, fearing itself not strong enough to guard the entrance.
Body is mind, and subject to its control. It seems to be self-acting matter, only because this mortal mind is ignorant of itself and its own action, and of their results upon the body, — ignorant that the predisposing, remote, and exciting occasion of all bad effects, supposed to arise from climate or accident, is a law of mortal belief, not of matter. In proportion as this law is mentally disregarded, the body will be free from its penalties. The only physician you should venture to employ is a Christian Scientist, — or else a skilful physician, so
