Man is not in matter, nor of it. He is the image and likeness, the idea, or reflection, of Spirit, and Spirit cannot be reflected by matter, mortality, or sin. “Mortal man” is really a self-contradictory phrase, for man is not mortal (“neither indeed can be”) but immortal.
How can Intelligence dwell in matter, when matter is non-intelligent, and brain-lobes cannot think? Such a notion is only a notion, and matter cannot perform the functions of Mind. Illusion says, “I am man;” but this belief is far from actuality. From beginning to end mortals are composed of human beliefs.
If a child is the offspring of physical sense, and not of Soul, it must have a material, not a spiritual origin. With what truth, then, could the Scriptural rejoicing be uttered by any mother, “I have gotten a man from the Lord.” On the contrary, if a child comes from God, it cannot be mortal and material; it must be immortal and spiritual.
Nerves are a belief that there is sensation in matter, whereas matter is devoid of sensation. Sensation, as well as action, is governed by Mind, — is in Mind, the origin and governor of all that Science reveals. Sense has its realm apart from Science, in the unreal. Harmonious action proceeds from the Spirit, God. Inharmony has no Principle. Its action is erroneous, indicating man to be in matter, and making matter the cause, as well as the effect, of Intelligence, or Soul, thus attempting to separate Mind from God.
Man is not God, and God is not man. Again, God, or Goodness, could never make men capable of sin. It is the opposite of Good — that is, evil — which seems to make men capable of wrong. Now evil is but an illusion,
