The use of the rod is virtually a declaration to the child’s mind that sensation belongs to matter. Motives [15] govern acts, and Mind governs man. If you make clear to the child’s thought the right motives for action, and cause him to love them, they will lead him aright: if you educate him to love God, good, and obey the Golden Rule, he will love and obey you without your having to [20] resort to corporeal punishment. “"When from the lips of Truth one mighty breath Shall, like a whirlwind, scatter in its breeze The whole dark pile of human mockeries; Then shall the reign of Mind commence on earth, [25] And starting fresh, as from a second birth, Man in the sunshine of the world’s new spring, Shall walk transparent like some holy thing.” _Are both prayer and drugs necessary to heal?_ The apostle James said, “Ye ask, and receive not, [30] because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your [Page 52.] lusts.” This text may refer to such as seek the material [1] to aid the spiritual, and take drugs to support God’s power to heal them. It is difficult to say how much one can do for himself, whose faith is divided be- tween catnip and Christ; but not so difficult to know [5] that if he were to serve one master, he could do vastly more. Whosoever understands the power of Spirit, has no doubt of God’s power,—even the might of Truth,— to heal, through divine Science, beyond all human means and methods. [10] _What do you think of marriage?_ That it is often convenient, sometimes pleasant, and occasionally a love affair. Marriage is susceptible of many definitions. It sometimes presents the most wretched condition of human existence. To be normal, [15] it must be a union of the affections that tends to lift mortals higher. _If this life is a dream not dispelled, but only changed,_ _by death,—if one gets tired of it, why not commit_ _suicide?_ [20] Man’s existence is a problem to be wrought in divine Science. What progress would a student of science make, if, when tired of mathematics or failing to dem- onstrate one rule readily, he should attempt to work out a rule farther on and more difficult—and this, [25] because the first rule was not easily demonstrated? In that case he would be obliged to turn back and work out the previous example, before solving the advanced problem. Mortals have the sum of being to work out, and up, to its spiritual standpoint. They must work [30] [Page 53.] out of this dream or false claim of sensation and life [1] in matter, and up to the spiritual realities of existence, before this false claim can be wholly dispelled. Com- mitting suicide to dodge the question is not working it out. The error of supposed life and intelligence in [5] matter, is dissolved only as we master error with Truth. Not through sin or suicide, but by _overcoming_ tempta- tion and sin, shall we escape the weariness and wicked- ness of mortal existence, and gain heaven, the harmony of being. [10]