PAGE 443
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
1 WHEN the discoverer of Christian Science is con-
sulted by her followers as to the propriety, advan-
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
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
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
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
15 Christian Science, and think they can be benefited by
certain ordinary physical methods of medical
treatment, then the Mind-physician should
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
21 precept: “Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and doctrine.” If the sick find these material expedients
PAGE 444
1 unsatisfactory, and they receive no help from them, these
very failures may open their blind eyes. In some way,
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
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
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
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
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,
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.”
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
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-
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
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
PAGE 445
1 that the Scientist must conform to God’s requirements.
Also the teacher must thoroughly fit his students to defend
3 themselves against sin, and to guard against the
attacks of the would-be mental assassin, who
attempts to kill morally and physically. No
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-
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
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
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
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
?
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
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
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-
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,
PAGE 446
1 teaching his slight knowledge of Mind-power, – per-
haps communicating his own bad morals, and in this way
3 dealing pitilessly with a community unprepared for self-
defence.
A thorough perusal of the author’s publications heals
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.
9 Perseverance in the perusal of the book has generally
completely healed such cases.
Exclusion of malpractice
Whoever practises the Science the author teaches,
12 through which Mind pours light and healing upon this
generation, can practise on no one from sin-
ister or malicious motives without destroying
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-
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
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
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
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
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.
PAGE 447
No trespass on human rights
1 The heavenly law is broken by trespassing upon
man’s individual right of self-government. We have no
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-
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
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
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
15 system, when mentally sustained by Truth,
goes on naturally. When sin or sickness –
the reverse of harmony – seems true to material sense,
18 impart without frightening or discouraging the pa-
tient the truth and spiritual understanding, which de-
stroy disease. Expose and denounce the claims of
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
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
27 its unreality. The sick are not healed merely by
declaring there is no sickness, but by knowing that
there is none.
Wicked evasions
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
PAGE 448
1 there are no claims of evil and yet to indulge them, is
a moral offence. Blindness and self-righteousness cling
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,
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
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
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
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:
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
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
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-
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-
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
PAGE 449
1 another from the fetters of disease. With your own wrists
manacled, it is hard to break another’s chains. A little
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
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.
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-
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
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
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
21 be understood and guarded against. The
first impression, made on a mind which is
attracted or repelled according to personal merit or de-
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
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
30 student if the student practises what he is taught, and
unless this result follows, the teacher is a Scientist only
in name.
PAGE 450
Three classes of neophytes
1 There is a large class of thinkers whose bigotry and
conceit twist every fact to suit themselves. Their creed
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
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
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
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
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-
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
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
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
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
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
PAGE 451
1 that these are the errors which Truth must and will an-
nihilate? Christian Scientists must live under the con-
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.
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
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,
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
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-
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
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
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
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
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
PAGE 452
1 him how to bar the door of his thought against this
seeming power, – a task not difficult, when one under-
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
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-
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-
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
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
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-
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-
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
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
30 you had the inclination or power to practise
wrongly and then should adopt Christian
Science, the wrong power would be destroyed. You do
PAGE 453
1 not deny the mathematician’s right to distinguish the cor-
rect from the incorrect among the examples on the black-
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
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-
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
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-
15 fore he can know others and minister to human needs.
Honesty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is
human weakness, which forfeits divine help.
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
21 places. The masquerader in this Science thanks God
that there is no evil, yet serves evil in the name of
good.
Metaphysical treatment
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
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
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
PAGE 454
1 animal magnetism or hypnotism. It need not be added
that the use of tobacco or intoxicating drinks is not in
3 harmony with Christian Science.
Impotence of hate
Teach your students the omnipotence of Truth, which
illustrates the impotence of error. The understanding,
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
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,
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-
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
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
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.
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
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-
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
PAGE 455
1 thought into accord with the spirit of Truth and Love,
which heals the sick and the sinner.
Weakness and guilt
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
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
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
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
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
18 Science, or metaphysical healing, from a human teacher,
may be mistaken in judgment and demonstra-
tion, but God cannot mistake. God selects
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
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
27 to discern it.
Integrity assured
This strong point in Christian Science is not to be
overlooked, – that the same fountain cannot send forth
30 both sweet waters and bitter. The higher
your attainment in the Science of mental
healing and teaching, the more impossible it will be-
PAGE 456
1 come for you intentionally to influence mankind adverse
to its highest hope and achievement.
Chicanery impossible
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
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
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
12 of demonstrating Christian Science greatly errs, igno-
rantly or intentionally, and separates himself from the
true conception of Christian Science healing and from
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
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
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
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
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
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
PAGE 457
1 this Science, and registered the revealed Truth uncon-
taminated by human hypotheses. Other works, which
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
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
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,
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
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-
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
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
24 this Science, is not possible. Departing from Christian
Science, some learners commend diet and hygiene.
They even practise these, intending thereby to initiate
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
30 and can be no opposite rule. Let this Principle be ap-
plied to the cure of disease without exploiting other
means.
PAGE 458
Mental charlatanism
1 Mental quackery rests on the same platform as all
other quackery. The chief plank in this platform is the
3 doctrine that Science has two principles in
partnership, one good and the other evil, –
one spiritual, the other material, – and that these two
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-
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
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
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
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
21 ritualism and creed are summoned to give place to higher
law, but Science will ameliorate mortal malice.
The Christianly scientific man reflects the
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-
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
30 by which mortals are radically saved from sin and
sickness.
Advancement by sacrifice
Christianity causes men to turn naturally from matter
PAGE 459
1 to Spirit, as the flower turns from darkness to light.
Man then appropriates those things which “eye hath
3 not seen nor ear heard.” Paul and John
had a clear apprehension that, as mortal man
achieves no worldly honors except by sacrifice,
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
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
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
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
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-
21 chief, and ignorance is more harmful than wilful wicked-
ness, when the latter is distrusted and thwarted in its
incipiency.
Certainty of results
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
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
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-
PAGE 460
1 physics as laid down in this work, and rest his demonstra-
tion on this sure basis.
Ontology defined
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
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,
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
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,
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-
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-
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
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
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-
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.
PAGE 461
Proof by induction
I do not maintain that anyone can exist in the flesh
without food and raiment; but I do believe that the
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
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
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
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
15 man.
If you believe that you are sick, should you say, ” I am
sick”? No, but you should tell your belief sometimes,
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
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
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
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
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
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1 comprehension of Christian Science. Some individu-
als assimilate truth more readily than others, but any
3 student, who adheres to the divine rules
of Christian Science and imbibes the spirit
of Christ, can demonstrate Christian Science, cast out
6 error, heal the sick, and add continually to his store of
spiritual understanding, potency, enlightenment, and
success.
Divided loyalty
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
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-
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
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-
21 knowledge, and consists in the dissection of thoughts to
discover their quality, quantity, and origin.
Are thoughts divine or human? That is the
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-
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-
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
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1 deals with the real cause of disease. The material physi-
cian gropes among phenomena, which fluctuate every in-
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
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
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
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
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
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
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-
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.
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
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-
PAGE 464
1 fited by you, but it feels your influence without seeing
you. Why do you not make yourself more widely
3 known?” Could her friends know how little
time the author has had, in which to make
herself outwardly known except through her laborious
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.
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
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
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
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
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,
24 ignorance, envy, fall before an honest heart.
Adulterating Christian Science, makes it void.
Falsity has no foundation. “The hireling fleeth, because
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.