Chapter 14

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. - PROVERBS.

Study of medicine

443:1 WHEN the discoverer of Christian Science is con- sulted by her followers as to the propriety, advan- 443:3 tage, and consistency of systematic medical study, she tries to show them that under ordi- nary circumstances a resort to faith in corporeal means 443:6 tends to deter those, who make such a compromise, from entire confidence in omnipotent Mind as really possessing all power. While a course of medical study is at times 443:9 severely condemned by some Scientists, she feels, as she always has felt, that all are privileged to work out their own salvation according to their light, and that our motto 443:12 should be the Master's counsel, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

Failure's lessons

If patients fail to experience the healing power of 443:15 Christian Science, and think they can be benefited by certain ordinary physical methods of medical treatment, then the Mind-physician should 443:18 give up such cases, and leave invalids free to resort to whatever other systems they fancy will afford relief. Thus such invalids may learn the value of the apostolic 443:21 precept: "Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." If the sick find these material expedients 444:1 unsatisfactory, and they receive no help from them, these very failures may open their blind eyes. In some way, 444:3 sooner or later, all must rise superior to materiality, and suffering is oft the divine agent in this elevation. "All things work together for good to them that love God," is 444:6 the dictum of Scripture.

Refuge and strength

If Christian Scientists ever fail to receive aid from other Scientists, - their brethren upon whom they may 444:9 call, - God will still guide them into the right use of temporary and eternal means. Step by step will those who trust Him find that "God is our refuge 444:12 and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Charity to those opposed

Students are advised by the author to be charitable and kind, not only towards differing forms of religion 444:15 and medicine, but to those who hold these dif- fering opinions. Let us be faithful in pointing the way through Christ, as we understand it, 444:18 but let us also be careful always to "judge righteous judg- ment," and never to condemn rashly. "Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." 444:21 That is, Fear not that he will smite thee again for thy for- bearance. If ecclesiastical sects or medical schools turn a deaf ear to the teachings of Christian Science, then part 444:24 from these opponents as did Abraham when he parted from Lot, and say in thy heart: "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between My herd- 444:27 men and thy herdmen; for we be brethren." Immortals, or God's children in divine Science, are one harmonious family; but mortals, or the "children of men" in material 444:30 sense, are discordant and ofttimes false brethren.

Conforming to explicit rules

The teacher must make clear to students the Science of healing, especially its ethics, - that all is Mind, and 445:1 that the Scientist must conform to God's requirements. Also the teacher must thoroughly fit his students to defend 445:3 themselves against sin, and to guard against the attacks of the would-be /mental assassin/, who attempts to kill morally and physically. No 445:6 hypothesis as to the existence of another power should interpose a doubt or fear to hinder the demonstration of Christian Science. Unfold the latent energies and capac- 445:9 ities for good in your pupil. Teach the great possibilities of man endued with divine Science. Teach the dangerous possibility of dwarfing the spiritual understanding and 445:12 demonstration of Truth by sin, or by recourse to material means for healing. Teach the meekness and might of life "hid with Christ in God," and there will be no desire for 445:15 other healing methods. You render the divine law of healing obscure and void, when you weigh the human in the scale with the divine, or limit in any direction of 445:18 thought the omnipresence and omnipotence of God.

Divine energy

Christian Science silences human will, quiets fear with Truth and Love, and illustrates the unlabored motion 445:21 of the divine energy in healing the sick. Self- seeking, envy, passion, pride, hatred, and revenge are cast out by the divine Mind which heals 445:24 disease. The human will which maketh and worketh a lie, hiding the divine Principle of harmony, is destructive to health, and is the cause of disease rather than its cure.

Blight of avarice

445:27 There is great danger in teaching Mind-healing indis- criminately, thus disregarding the morals of the student and caring only for the fees. Recalling Jeffer- 445:30 son's words about slavery, "I tremble, when I remember that God is just," the author trembles whenever she sees a man, for the petty consideration of money, 446:1 teaching his slight knowledge of Mind-power, - per- haps communicating his own bad morals, and in this way 446:3 dealing pitilessly with a community unprepared for self- defence.

A thorough perusal of the author's publications heals 446:6 sickness. If patients sometimes seem worse while read- ing this book, the change may either arise from the alarm of the physician, or it may mark the crisis of the disease. 446:9 Perseverance in the perusal of the book has generally completely healed such cases.

Exclusion of malpractice

Whoever practises the Science the author teaches, 446:12 through which Mind pours light and healing upon this generation, can practise on no one from sin- ister or malicious motives without destroying 446:15 his own power to heal and his own health. Good must dominate in the thoughts of the healer, or his demon- stration is protracted, dangerous, and impossible in Sci- 446:18 ence. A wrong motive involves defeat. In the Science of Mind-healing, it is imperative to be honest, for victory rests on the side of immutable right. To understand 446:21 God strengthens hope, enthrones faith in Truth, and verifies Jesus' word: "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

Iniquity overcome

446:24 Resisting evil, you overcome it and prove its nothing- ness. Not human platitudes, but divine beatitudes, re- flect the spiritual light and might which heal 446:27 the sick. The exercise of will brings on a hypnotic state, detrimental to health and integrity of thought. This must therefore be watched and guarded 446:30 against. Covering iniquity will prevent prosperity and the ultimate triumph of any cause. Ignorance of the error to be eradicated oftentimes subjects you to its abuse.

No trespass on human rights

447:1 The heavenly law is broken by trespassing upon man's individual right of self-government. We have no 447:3 authority in Christian Science and no moral right to attempt to influence the thoughts of others, except it be to benefit them. In men- 447:6 tal practice you must not forget that erring human opin- ions, conflicting selfish motives, and ignorant attempts to do good may render you incapable of knowing or 447:9 judging accurately the need of your fellow-men. There- fore the rule is, heal the sick when called upon for aid, and save the victims of the mental assassins.

Expose sin without believing in it

447:12 Ignorance, subtlety, or false charity does not for- ever conceal error; evil will in time disclose and pun- ish itself. The recuperative action of the 447:15 system, when mentally sustained by Truth, goes on naturally. When sin or sickness - the reverse of harmony - seems true to material sense, 447:18 impart without frightening or discouraging the pa- tient the truth and spiritual understanding, which de- stroy disease. Expose and denounce the claims of 447:21 evil and disease in all their forms, but realize no reality in them. A sinner is not reformed merely by assuring him that he cannot be a sinner because 447:24 there is no sin. To put down the claim of sin, you must detect it, remove the mask, point out the illusion, and thus get the victory over sin and so prove 447:27 its unreality. The sick are not healed merely by declaring there is no sickness, but by knowing that there is none.

Wicked evasions

447:30 A sinner is afraid to cast the first stone. He may say, as a subterfuge, that evil is unreal, but to know it, he must demonstrate his statement. To assume that 448:1 there are no claims of evil and yet to indulge them, is a moral offence. Blindness and self-righteousness cling 448:3 fast to iniquity. When the Publican's wail went out to the great heart of Love, it won his humble desire. Evil which obtains in the bodily senses, 448:6 but which the heart condemns, has no foundation; but if evil is uncondemned, it is undenied and nurtured. Under such circumstances, to say that there is no evil, is an evil 448:9 in itself. When needed tell the truth concerning the lie. Evasion of Truth cripples integrity, and casts thee down from the pinnacle.

Truth's grand results

448:12 Christian Science rises above the evidence of the cor- poreal senses; but if you have not risen above sin your- self, do not congratulate yourself upon your 448:15 blindness to evil or upon the good you know and /do/ not. A dishonest position is far from Christianly scientific. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: 448:18 but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Try to leave on every student's mind the strong impress of divine Science, a high sense of the moral and 448:21 spiritual qualifications requisite for healing, well knowing it to be impossible for error, evil, and hate to accomplish the grand results of Truth and Love. The reception or 448:24 pursuit of instructions opposite to absolute Christian Science must always hinder scientific demonstration.

Adherence to righteousness

If the student adheres strictly to the teachings of Chris- 448:27 tian Science and ventures not to break its rules, he can- not fail of success in healing. It is Christian Science to do right, and nothing short of right- 448:30 doing has any claim to the name. To talk the right and live the wrong is foolish deceit, doing one's self the most harm. Fettered by sin yourself, it is difficult to free 449:1 another from the fetters of disease. With your own wrists manacled, it is hard to break another's chains. A little 449:3 leaven causes the whole mass to ferment. A grain of Christian Science does wonders for mortals, so omnip- otent is Truth, but more of Christian Science must be 449:6 gained in order to continue in well doing.

Right adjusts the balance

The wrong done another reacts most heavily against one's self. Right adjusts the balance sooner or later. 449:9 Think it "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle," than for you to benefit yourself by injuring others. Man's moral mercury, ris- 449:12 ing or falling, registers his healing ability and fitness to teach. You should practise well what you know, and you will then advance in proportion to your honesty 449:15 and fidelity, - qualities which insure success in this Science; but it requires a higher understanding to teach this subject properly and correctly than it does to heal 449:18 the most difficult case.

Inoculation of thought

The baneful effect of evil associates is less seen than felt. The inoculation of evil human thoughts ought to 449:21 be understood and guarded against. The first impression, made on a mind which is attracted or repelled according to personal merit or de- 449:24 merit, is a good detective of individual character. Cer- tain minds meet only to separate through simultaneous repulsion. They are enemies without the preliminary 449:27 offence. The impure are at peace with the impure. Only virtue is a rebuke to vice. A proper teacher of Chris- tian Science improves the health and the morals of his 449:30 student if the student practises what he is taught, and unless this result follows, the teacher is a Scientist only in name.

Three classes of neophytes

450:1 There is a large class of thinkers whose bigotry and conceit twist every fact to suit themselves. Their creed 450:3 teaches belief in a mysterious, supernatural God, and in a natural, all-powerful devil. An- other class, still more unfortunate, are so depraved that 450:6 they appear to be innocent. They utter a falsehood, while looking you blandly in the face, and they never fail to stab their benefactor in the back. A third class 450:9 of thinkers build with solid masonry. They are sincere, generous, noble, and are therefore open to the approach and recognition of Truth. To teach Christian Science 450:12 to such as these is no task. They do not incline long- ingly to error, whine over the demands of Truth, nor play the traitor for place and power.

Touchstone of Science

450:15 Some people yield slowly to the touch of Truth. Few yield without a struggle, and many are reluctant to ac- knowledge that they have yielded; but un- 450:18 less this admission is made, evil will boast itself above good. The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome 450:21 them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good. Sickness to him is no less a temptation than is sin, and he heals them both by understanding 450:24 God's power over them. The Christian Scientist knows that they are errors of belief, which Truth can and will destroy.

False claims annihilated

450:27 Who, that has felt the perilous beliefs in life, substance, and intelligence separated from God, can say that there is no error of belief? Knowing the claim of 450:30 animal magnetism, that all evil combines in the belief of life, substance, and intelligence in matter, electricity, animal nature, and organic life, who will deny 451:1 that these are the errors which Truth must and will an- nihilate? Christian Scientists must live under the con- 451:3 stant pressure of the apostolic command to come out from the material world and be separate. They must re- nounce aggression, oppression and the pride of power. 451:6 Christianity, with the crown of Love upon her brow, must be their queen of life.

Treasure in heaven

Students of Christian Science, who start with its letter 451:9 and think to succeed without the spirit, will either make shipwreck of their faith or be turned sadly awry. They must not only seek, but strive, 451:12 to enter the narrow path of Life, for "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." Man walks in the 451:15 direction towards which he looks, and where his treasure is, there will his heart be also. If our hopes and affec- tions are spiritual, they come from above, not from be- 451:18 neath, and they bear as of old the fruits of the Spirit.

Obligations of teachers

Every Christian Scientist, every conscientious teacher of the Science of Mind-healing, knows that human will 451:21 is not Christian Science, and he must recog- nize this in order to defend himself from the influence of human will. He feels morally obligated to 451:24 open the eyes of his students that they may perceive the nature and methods of error of every sort, especially any subtle degree of evil, deceived and deceiving. All mental 451:27 malpractice arises from ignorance or malice aforethought. It is the injurious action of one mortal mind controlling another from wrong motives, and it is practised either 451:30 with a mistaken or a wicked purpose.

Indispensable defence

Show your student that mental malpractice tends to blast moral sense, health, and the human life. Instruct 452:1 him how to bar the door of his thought against this seeming power, - a task not difficult, when one under- 452:3 stands that evil has in reality no power. Incorrect reasoning leads to practical error. The wrong thought should be arrested before it has a 452:6 chance to manifest itself.

Egotistic darkness

Walking in the light, we are accustomed to the light and require it; we cannot see in darkness. But eyes ac- 452:9 customed to darkness are pained by the light. When outgrowing the old, you should not fear to put on the new. Your advancing course may pro- 452:12 voke envy, but it will also attract respect. When error confronts you, withhold not the rebuke or the explana- tion which destroys error. Never breathe an immoral 452:15 atmosphere, unless in the attempt to purify it. Better is the frugal intellectual repast with contentment and virtue, than the luxury of learning with egotism and vice.

Unwarranted expectations

452:18 Right is radical. The teacher must know the truth himself. He must live it and love it, or he cannot impart it to others. We soil our garments with con- 452:21 servatism, and afterwards we must wash them clean. When the spiritual sense of Truth unfolds its harmonies, you take no risks in the policy of error. Ex- 452:24 pect to heal simply by repeating the author's words, by right talking and wrong acting, and you will be disap- pointed. Such a practice does not demonstrate the 452:27 Science by which divine Mind heals the sick.

Reliable authority

Acting from sinful motives destroys your power of healing from the right motive. On the other hand, if 452:30 you had the inclination or power to practise wrongly and then should adopt Christian Science, the wrong power would be destroyed. You do 453:1 not deny the mathematician's right to distinguish the cor- rect from the incorrect among the examples on the black- 453:3 board, nor disbelieve the musician when he distinguishes concord from discord. In like manner it should be granted that the author understands what she is saying.

Winning the field

453:6 Right and wrong, truth and error, will be at strife in the minds of students, until victory rests on the side of invincible truth. Mental chemicalization fol- 453:9 lows the explanation of Truth, and a higher basis is thus won; but with some individuals the morbid moral or physical symptoms constantly reappear. I 453:12 have never witnessed so decided effects from the use of material remedies as from the use of spiritual.

Knowledge and honesty

Teach your student that he must know himself be- 453:15 fore he can know others and minister to human needs. Honesty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is human weakness, which forfeits divine help. 453:18 You uncover sin, not in order to injure, but in order to bless the corporeal man; and a right motive has its reward. Hidden sin is spiritual wickedness in high 453:21 places. The masquerader in this Science thanks God that there is no evil, yet serves evil in the name of good.

Metaphysical treatment

453:24 You should treat sickness mentally just as you would sin, except that you must not tell the patient that he is sick nor give names to diseases, for such a 453:27 course increases fear, the foundation of dis- ease, and impresses more deeply the wrong mind-picture. A Christian Scientist's medicine is Mind, the divine Truth 453:30 that makes man free. A Christian Scientist never recom- mends material hygiene, never manipulates. He does not trespass on the rights of mind nor can he practise 454:1 animal magnetism or hypnotism. It need not be added that the use of tobacco or intoxicating drinks is not in 454:3 harmony with Christian Science.

Impotence of hate

Teach your students the omnipotence of Truth, which illustrates the impotence of error. The understanding, 454:6 even in a degree, of the divine All-power de- stroys fear, and plants the feet in the true path, - the path which leads to the house built without hands 454:9 "eternal in the heavens." Human hate has no legiti- mate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned. That evil or matter has neither intelligence nor power, 454:12 is the doctrine of absolute Christian Science, and this is the great truth which strips all disguise from error.

Love the incentive

He, who understands in sufficient degree the Princi- 454:15 ple of Mind-healing, points out to his student error as well as truth, the wrong as well as the right practice. Love for God and man is the true 454:18 incentive in both healing and teaching. Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to 454:21 speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. 454:24 Patience must "have her perfect work."

Continuity of interest

Do not dismiss students at the close of a class term, feeling that you have no more to do for them. Let your 454:27 loving care and counsel support all their feeble footsteps, until your students tread firmly in the straight and narrow way. The superiority of spir- 454:30 itual power over sensuous is the central point of Chris- tian Science. Remember that the letter and mental argument are only human auxiliaries to aid in bringing 455:1 thought into accord with the spirit of Truth and Love, which heals the sick and the sinner.

Weakness and guilt

455:3 A mental state of self-condemnation and guilt or a faltering and doubting trust in Truth are unsuitable conditions for healing the sick. Such mental 455:6 states indicate weakness instead of strength. Hence the necessity of being right yourself in order to teach this Science of healing. You must utilize the moral 455:9 might of Mind in order to walk over the waves of error and support your claims by demonstration. If you are yourself lost in the belief and fear of disease or sin, and 455:12 if, knowing the remedy, you fail to use the energies of Mind in your own behalf, you can exercise little or no power for others' help. "First cast out the beam out 455:15 of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

The trust of the All-wise

The student, who receives his knowledge of Christian 455:18 Science, or metaphysical healing, from a human teacher, may be mistaken in judgment and demonstra- tion, but God cannot mistake. God selects 455:21 for the highest service one who has grown into such a fitness for it as renders any abuse of the mission an im- possibility. The All-wise does not bestow His highest 455:24 trusts upon the unworthy. When He commissions a mes- senger, it is one who is spiritually near Himself. No per- son can misuse this mental power, if he is taught of God 455:27 to discern it.

Integrity assured

This strong point in Christian Science is not to be overlooked, - that the same fountain cannot send forth 455:30 both sweet waters and bitter. The higher your attainment in the Science of mental healing and teaching, the more impossible it will be- 456:1 come for you intentionally to influence mankind adverse to its highest hope and achievement.

Chicanery impossible

456:3 Teaching or practising in the name of Truth, but con- trary to its spirit or rules, is most dangerous quackery. Strict adherence to the divine Principle and 456:6 rules of the scientific method has secured the only success of the students of Christian Science. This alone entitles them to the high standing which 456:9 most of them hold in the community, a reputation ex- perimentally justified by their efforts. Whoever af- firms that there is more than one Principle and method 456:12 of demonstrating Christian Science greatly errs, igno- rantly or intentionally, and separates himself from the true conception of Christian Science healing and from 456:15 its possible demonstration.

No dishonest concessions

Any dishonesty in your theory and practice betrays a gross ignorance of the method of the Christ-cure. Science 456:18 makes no concessions to persons or opinions. One must abide in the /morale/ of truth or he cannot demonstrate the divine Principle. So long as 456:21 matter is the basis of practice, illness cannot be effica- ciously treated by the metaphysical process. Truth does the work, and you must both understand and abide by the 456:24 divine Principle of your demonstration.

This volume indispensable

A Christian Scientist requires my work SCIENCE AND HEALTH for his textbook, and so do all his students and 456:27 patients. Why? /First/: Because it is the voice of Truth to this age, and contains the full statement of Christian Science, or the Science of healing 456:30 through Mind. /Second/: Because it was the first book known, containing a thorough statement of Christian Science. Hence it gave the first rules for demonstrating 457:1 this Science, and registered the revealed Truth uncon- taminated by human hypotheses. Other works, which 457:3 have borrowed from this book without giving it credit, have adulterated the Science. /Third/: Because this book has done more for teacher and student, for healer and 457:6 patient, than has been accomplished by other books.

Purity of science

Since the divine light of Christian Science first dawned upon the author, she has never used this newly discovered 457:9 power in any direction which she fears to have fairly understood. Her prime object, since entering this field of labor, has been to prevent suffering, 457:12 not to produce it. That we cannot scientifically both cure and cause disease is self-evident. In the legend of the shield, which led to a quarrel between two knights 457:15 because each of them could see but one face of it, both sides were beautiful according to their degree; but to mental malpractice, prolific of evil, there is no good as- 457:18 pect, either silvern or golden.

Backsliders and mistakes

Christian Science is not an exception to the general rule, that there is no excellence without labor in a direct 457:21 line. One cannot scatter his fire, and at the same time hit the mark. To pursue other vocations and advance rapidly in the demonstration of 457:24 this Science, is not possible. Departing from Christian Science, some learners commend diet and hygiene. They even practise these, intending thereby to initiate 457:27 the cure which they mean to complete with Mind, as if the non-intelligent could aid Mind! The Scientist's demonstration rests on one Principle, and there must 457:30 and can be no opposite rule. Let this Principle be ap- plied to the cure of disease without exploiting other means.

Mental charlatanism

458:1 Mental quackery rests on the same platform as all other quackery. The chief plank in this platform is the 458:3 doctrine that Science has two principles in partnership, one good and the other evil, - one spiritual, the other material, - and that these two 458:6 may be simultaneously at work on the sick. This theory is supposed to favor practice from both a mental and a material standpoint. Another plank in the plat- 458:9 form is this, that error will finally have the same effect as truth.

Divinity ever ready

It is anything but scientifically Christian to think of 458:12 aiding the divine Principle of healing or of trying to sus- tain the human body until the divine Mind is ready to take the case. Divinity is always 458:15 ready. /Semper paratus/ is Truth's motto. Having seen so much suffering from quackery, the author desires to keep it out of Christian Science. The two-edged sword 458:18 of Truth must turn in every direction to guard "the tree of life."

The panoply of wisdom

Sin makes deadly thrusts at the Christian Scientist as 458:21 ritualism and creed are summoned to give place to higher law, but Science will ameliorate mortal malice. The Christianly scientific man reflects the 458:24 divine law, thus becoming a law unto himself. He does violence to no man. Neither is he a false accuser. The Christian Scientist wisely shapes his course, and is hon- 458:27 est and consistent in following the leadings of divine Mind. He must prove, through living as well as heal- ing and teaching, that Christ's way is the only one 458:30 by which mortals are radically saved from sin and sickness.

Advancement by sacrifice

Christianity causes men to turn naturally from matter 459:1 to Spirit, as the flower turns from darkness to light. Man then appropriates those things which "eye hath 459:3 not seen nor ear heard." Paul and John had a clear apprehension that, as mortal man achieves no worldly honors except by sacrifice, 459:6 so he must gain heavenly riches by forsaking all worldli- ness. Then he will have nothing in common with the worldling's affections, motives, and aims. Judge not the 459:9 future advancement of Christian Science by the steps already taken, lest you yourself be condemned for fail- ing to take the first step.

Dangerous knowledge

459:12 Any attempt to heal mortals with erring mortal mind, instead of resting on the omnipotence of the divine Mind, must prove abortive. Committing the 459:15 bare process of mental healing to frail mor- tals, untaught and unrestrained by Christian Science, is like putting a sharp knife into the hands of a blind 459:18 man or a raging maniac, and turning him loose in the crowded streets of a city. Whether animated by malice or ignorance, a false practitioner will work mis- 459:21 chief, and ignorance is more harmful than wilful wicked- ness, when the latter is distrusted and thwarted in its incipiency.

Certainty of results

459:24 To mortal sense Christian Science seems abstract, but the process is simple and the results are sure if the Science is understood. The tree must be good, which 459:27 produces good fruit. Guided by divine Truth and not guesswork, the /theologus/ (that is, the student - the Christian and scientific expounder - of the divine 459:30 law) treats disease with more certain results than any other healer on the globe. The Christian Scientist should understand and adhere strictly to the rules of divine meta- 460:1 physics as laid down in this work, and rest his demonstra- tion on this sure basis.

Ontology defined

460:3 Ontology is defined as "the science of the necessary constituents and relations of all beings," and it under- lies all metaphysical practice. Our system of 460:6 Mind-healing rests on the apprehension of the nature and essence of all being, - on the divine Mind and Love's essential qualities. Its pharmacy is moral, 460:9 and its medicine is intellectual and spiritual, though used for physical healing. Yet this most fundamental part of metaphysics is the one most difficult to understand and 460:12 demonstrate, for to the material thought all is material, till such thought is rectified by Spirit.

Mischievous imagination

Sickness is neither imaginary nor unreal, - that is, 460:15 to the frightened, false sense of the patient. Sickness is more than fancy; it is solid conviction. It is therefore to be dealt with through right ap- 460:18 prehension of the truth of being. If Christian healing is abused by mere smatterers in Science, it becomes a tedious mischief-maker. Instead of scientifically effect- 460:21 ing a cure, it starts a petty crossfire over every cripple and invalid, buffeting them with the superficial and cold assertion, "Nothing ails you."

Author's early instructions

460:24 When the Science of Mind was a fresh revelation to the author, she had to impart, while teaching its grand facts, the hue of spiritual ideas from her own 460:27 spiritual condition, and she had to do this orally through the meagre channel afforded by language and by her manuscript circulated among the students. As for- 460:30 mer beliefs were gradually expelled from her thought, the teaching became clearer, until finally the shadow of old errors was no longer cast upon divine Science.

Proof by induction

I do not maintain that anyone can exist in the flesh without food and raiment; but I do believe that the 461:3 real man is immortal and that he lives in Spirit, not matter. Christian Science must be accepted at this period by induction. We admit the 461:6 whole, because a part is proved and that part illustrates and proves the entire Principle. Christian Science can be taught only by those who are morally advanced and 461:9 spiritually endowed, for it is not superficial, nor is it discerned from the standpoint of the human senses. Only by the illumination of the spiritual sense, can 461:12 the light of understanding be thrown upon this Science, because Science reverses the evidence before the material senses and furnishes the eternal interpretation of God and 461:15 man.

If you believe that you are sick, should you say, " I am sick"? No, but you should tell your belief sometimes, 461:18 if this be requisite to protect others. If you commit a crime, should you acknowledge to yourself that you are a criminal? Yes. Your responses should differ because 461:21 of the different effects they produce. Usually to admit that you are sick, renders your case less curable, while to recognize your sin, aids in destroying it. Both sin and 461:24 sickness are error, and Truth is their remedy. The truth regarding error is, that error is not true, hence it is unreal. To prove scientifically the error or unreality of sin, you 461:27 must first see the claim of sin, and then destroy it. Whereas, to prove scientifically the error or unreality of disease, you must mentally unsee the disease; then you 461:30 will not feel it, and it is destroyed.

Rapidity of assimilation

Systematic teaching and the student's spiritual growth and experience in practice are requisite for a thorough 462:1 comprehension of Christian Science. Some individu- als assimilate truth more readily than others, but any 462:3 student, who adheres to the divine rules of Christian Science and imbibes the spirit of Christ, can demonstrate Christian Science, cast out 462:6 error, heal the sick, and add continually to his store of spiritual understanding, potency, enlightenment, and success.

Divided loyalty

462:9 If the student goes away to practise Truth's teach- ings only in part, dividing his interests between God and mammon and substituting his own views for 462:12 Truth, he will inevitably reap the error he sows. Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian Science must abide strictly by its rules, heed every state- 462:15 ment, and advance from the rudiments laid down. There is nothing difficult nor toilsome in this task, when the way is pointed out; but self-denial, sincerity, Christianity, and 462:18 persistence alone win the prize, as they usually do in every department of life.

Anatomy defined

Anatomy, when conceived of spiritually, is mental self- 462:21 knowledge, and consists in the dissection of thoughts to discover their quality, quantity, and origin. Are thoughts divine or human? That is the 462:24 important question. This branch of study is indispen- sable to the excision of error. The anatomy of Christian Science teaches when and how to probe the self-in- 462:27 flicted wounds of selfishness, malice, envy, and hate. It teaches the control of mad ambition. It unfolds the hallowed influences of unselfishness, philanthropy, spir- 462:30 itual love. It urges the government of the body both in health and in sickness. The Christian Scientist, through understanding mental anatomy, discerns and 463:1 deals with the real cause of disease. The material physi- cian gropes among phenomena, which fluctuate every in- 463:3 stant under influences not embraced in his diagnosis, and so he may stumble and fall in the darkness.

Scientific obstetrics

Teacher and student should also be familiar with the 463:6 obstetrics taught by this Science. To attend properly the birth of the new child, or divine idea, you should so detach mortal thought from its 463:9 material conceptions, that the birth will be natural and safe. Though gathering new energy, this idea cannot injure its useful surroundings in the travail of spiritual 463:12 birth. A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive. The new idea, conceived and born of Truth and Love, is 463:15 clad in white garments. Its beginning will be meek, its growth sturdy, and its maturity undecaying. When this new birth takes place, the Christian Science infant 463:18 is born of the Spirit, born of God, and can cause the mother no more suffering. By this we know that Truth is here and has fulfilled its perfect work.

Unhesitating decision

463:21 To decide quickly as to the proper treatment of error - whether error is manifested in forms of sickness, sin, or death - is the first step towards destroy- 463:24 ing error. Our Master treated error through Mind. He never enjoined obedience to the laws of nature, if by these are meant laws of matter, nor did he use drugs. 463:27 There is a law of God applicable to healing, and it is a spiritual law instead of material. The sick are not healed by inanimate matter or drugs, as they believe that they 463:30 are. Such seeming medical effect or action is that of so- called mortal mind.

Seclusion of the author

It has been said to the author, "The world is bene- 464:1 fited by you, but it feels your influence without seeing you. Why do you not make yourself more widely 464:3 known?" Could her friends know how little time the author has had, in which to make herself outwardly known except through her laborious 464:6 publications, - and how much time and toil are still re- quired to establish the stately operations of Christian Science, - they would understand why she is so secluded. 464:9 Others could not take her place, even if willing so to do. She therefore remains unseen at her post, seeking no self- aggrandizement but praying, watching, and working for 464:12 the redemption of mankind.

If from an injury or from any cause, a Christian Scien- tist were seized with pain so violent that he could not 464:15 treat himself mentally, - and the Scientists had failed to relieve him, - the sufferer could call a surgeon, who would give him a hypodermic injection, then, when the 464:18 belief of pain was lulled, he could handle his own case mentally. Thus it is that we "prove all things; [and] hold fast that which is good."

The right motive and its reward

464:21 In founding a pathological system of Christianity, the author has labored to expound divine Principle, and not to exalt personality. The weapons of bigotry, 464:24 ignorance, envy, fall before an honest heart. Adulterating Christian Science, makes it void. Falsity has no foundation. "The hireling fleeth, because 464:27 he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." Neither dishonesty nor ignorance ever founded, nor can they over- throw a scientific system of ethics.