TO A GENTLEMAN REQUESTING HELP WITHOUT A PERSONAL INTERVIEW
Dear Sir:
In answer to your inquiry, I would say that, owing to the scepticism of the world I do not feel inclined to assure you of any benefit which you may receive from my influence while away from you, as your belief would probably keep me from helping you. But it will not cost me much time nor expense to make the trial. So if I stand at your door and knock, and you know my voice or influence and receive me, you may be benefited. If you do receive any benefit, give it to the Principle, not to me as a man, but to that Wisdom which is able to break the bonds of the prisoner, set him free from the errors of the doctors, and restore him to health. This I will try to do with pleasure. But if this fails and your case is one which requires my seeing you, then my opinion is of no use.
Yours, etc.
TO A CLERGYMAN[1]
Oct. 28th, 1860.
Dear Sir:
Your letter of the eighteenth was received, but owing to a press of business I neglected answering it. I will try to give you the wisdom you ask. So far as giving an opinion is concerned, it is out of my power as a physician, though as man I might. But it would be of no service, for it would contain no wisdom except of this world.
My practice is not of the wisdom of man, so my opinion as a man is of no value. Jesus said, “If I judge of myself, my judgment is not true: but if I judge of God, it is right,” for that contains no opinion. So if I judge as a man it is an opinion, and you can get plenty of them anywhere.
You inquire if I have ever cured any cases of chronic rheumatism. I answer, “Yes.” But there are as many cases of chronic rheumatism as there are of spinal complaint, so that I cannot decide your case by another. You cannot be saved by pinning your faith on another's sleeve. Every one must answer for his own sins or belief. Our beliefs are the cause of our misery. Our happiness and misery are what
- ↑ Printed in part in “Health and the Inner Life,” p. 60.
