Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
1910 Edition – Last Authorized Edition – Subtitles
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1 | 1 | Intro Quote | 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. | |
2 | 2 | Study of medicine | Show all text | 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 of study, she tries to show them that under ordi- medicine 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." |
3 | 3 | Failures lessons | Show all text | If patients fail to experience the healing power of 15 Christian Science, and think they can be benefited by c...ertain ordinary physical methods of medical Failure's treatment, then the Mind-physician should lessons 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 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. |
4 | 4 | Refuge and strength | Show all text | 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 Refuge and use of temporary and eternal means. Step by strength step will those who trust Him find that "God is our refuge 12 and strength, a very present help in trouble." |
5 | 5 | Charity to those opposed | Show all text | 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- Charity fering opinions. Let us be faithful in pointing to those the way through Christ, as we understand it, opposed 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. |
6 | 6 | Conforming to explicit rules | Show all text | The teacher must make clear to students the Science of healing, especially its ethics, — that all is Mind, and 1 t...hat 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 Conforming attacks of the would-be mental assassin, who to explicit attempts to kill morally and physically. No rules 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. |
7 | 7 | Divine energy | Show all text | 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- Divine seeking, envy, passion, pride, hatred, and energy 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. |
8 | 8 | Blight of avarice | Show all text | 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- Blight of 30 son's words about slavery, "I tremble, when I avarice remember that God is just," the author trembles whenever she sees a man, for the petty consideration of money, 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. |
9 | 9 | Exclusion of malpractice | Show all text | Whoever practises the Science the author teaches, 12 through which Mind pours light and healing upon this gene...ration, can practise on no one from sin- Exclusion of ister or malicious motives without destroying malpractice 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." |
10 | 10 | Iniquity overcome | Show all text | 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 Iniquity 27 the sick. The exercise of will brings on a overcome 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. |
11 | 11 | No trespass on human rights | Show all text | 1 The heavenly law is broken by trespassing upon man's individual right of self-government. We have no 3 author...ity in Christian Science and no moral No trespass right to attempt to influence the thoughts of on human others, except it be to benefit them. In men- rights 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. |
12 | 12 | Expose sin without believing in it | Show all text | 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 Expose sin 15 system, when mentally sustained by Truth, without goes on naturally. When sin or sickness — believing in it 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. |
13 | 13 | Wicked evasions | Show all text | 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 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 Wicked went out to the great heart of Love, it won his evasions 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. |
14 | 14 | Truths grand results | Show all text | 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 Truth's 15 blindness to evil or upon the good you know grand results 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. |
15 | 15 | Adherence to righteousness | Show all text | If the student adheres strictly to the teachings of Chris- 27 tian Science and ventures not to break its rules, h...e can- not fail of success in healing. It is Christian Adherence to Science to do right, and nothing short of right- righteousness 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 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. |
16 | 16 | Right adjusts the balance | Show all text | 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 Right adjusts the eye of a needle," than for you to benefit the balance 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. |
17 | 17 | Inoculation of thought | Show all text | 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 Inoculation first impression, made on a mind which is of thought 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. |
18 | 18 | Three classes of neophytes | Show all text | 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 Three classes God, and in a natural, all-powerful devil. An- of neophytes 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. |
19 | 19 | Touchstone of Science | Show all text | 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- Touchstone 18 less this admission is made, evil will boast of Science 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. |
20 | 20 | False claims annihilated | Show all text | 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 False claims 30 animal magnetism, that all evil combines in annihilated the belief of life, substance, and intelligence in matter, electricity, animal nature, and organic life, who will deny 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. |
21 | 21 | Treasure in heaven | Show all text | 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 Treasure awry. They must not only seek, but strive, in heaven 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. |
22 | 22 | Obligations of teachers | Show all text | 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- Obligations nize this in order to defend himself from the of teachers 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. |
23 | 23 | Indispensable defence | Show all text | Show your student that mental malpractice tends to blast moral sense, health, and the human life. Instruct 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. Indispensable Incorrect reasoning leads to practical error. defence The wrong thought should be arrested before it has a 6 chance to manifest itself. |
24 | 24 | Egotistic darkness | Show all text | 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. Egotistic When outgrowing the old, you should not fear darkness 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. |
25 | 25 | Unwarranted expectations | Show all text | 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- Unwarranted 21 servatism, and afterwards we must wash them expectations 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. |
26 | 26 | Reliable authority | Show all text | 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 Reliable wrongly and then should adopt Christian authority Science, the wrong power would be destroyed. You do 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. |
27 | 27 | Winning the field | Show all text | 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- Winning 9 lows the explanation of Truth, and a higher the field 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. |
28 | 28 | Knowledge and honesty | Show all text | Teach your student that he must know himself be- 15 fore he can know others and minister to human needs. Hone...sty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is Knowledge human weakness, which forfeits divine help. and honesty 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. |
29 | 29 | Metaphysical treatment | Show all text | 24 You should treat sickness mentally just as you would sin, except that you must not tell the patient that he i...s sick nor give names to diseases, for such a Metaphysical 27 course increases fear, the foundation of dis- treatment 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 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. |
30 | 30 | Impotence of hate | Show all text | 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- Impotence stroys fear, and plants the feet in the true path, of hate — 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. |
31 | 31 | Love the incentive | Show all text | He, who understands in a 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 Love the practice. Love for God and man is the true incentive 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." |
32 | 32 | Continuity of interest | Show all text | 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 Continuity footsteps, until your students tread firmly in of interest 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 1 thought into accord with the spirit of Truth and Love, which heals the sick and the sinner. |
33 | 33 | Weakness and guilt | Show all text | 3 A mental state of self-condemnation and guilt or a faltering and doubting trust in Truth are unsuitable con...ditions for healing the sick. Such mental Weakness 6 states indicate weakness instead of strength. and guilt 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." |
34 | 34 | The trust of the All-wise | Show all text | The student, who receives his knowledge of Christian 18 Science, or metaphysical healing, from a human teacher, ... may be mistaken in judgment and demonstra- The trust of tion, but God cannot mistake. God selects the All-wise 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. |
35 | 35 | Integrity assured | Show all text | This strong point in Christian Science is not to be overlooked, — that the same fountain cannot send forth 3...0 both sweet waters and bitter. The higher Integrity your attainment in the Science of mental assured healing and teaching, the more impossible it will be- 1 come for you intentionally to influence mankind adverse to its highest hope and achievement. |
36 | 36 | Chicanery impossible | Show all text | 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 Chicanery 6 rules of the scientific method has secured impossible 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. |
37 | 37 | No dishonest concessions | Show all text | 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. No dishonest One must abide in the morale of truth or he concessions 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. |
38 | 38 | This volume indispensable | Show all text | A Christian Scientist requires my work SCIENCE AND HEALTH for his textbook, and so do all his students and 27 p...atients. Why? First: Because it is the voice This volume of Truth to this age, and contains the full indispensable 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 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. |
39 | 39 | Purity of Science | Show all text | Since the divine light of Christian Science first dawned upon the author, she has never used this newly discover...ed 9 power in any direction which she fears to have Purity of fairly understood. Her prime object, since science 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. |
40 | 40 | Backsliders and mistakes | Show all text | Christian Science is not an exception to the general rule, that there is no excellence without labor in a dire...ct 21 line. One cannot scatter his fire, and at the Backsliders same time hit the mark. To pursue other and mistakes 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. |
41 | 41 | Mental charlatanism | Show all text | 1 Mental quackery rests on the same platform as all other quackery. The chief plank in this platform is the 3 d...octrine that Science has two principles in Mental partnership, one good and the other evil, — charlatanism 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. |
42 | 42 | Divinity ever ready | Show all text | 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 Divinity is ready to take the case. Divinity is always ever ready 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." |
43 | 43 | The panoply of wisdom | Show all text | Sin makes deadly thrusts at the Christian Scientist as 21 ritualism and creed are summoned to give place to highe...r law, but Science will ameliorate mortal malice. The panoply The Christianly scientific man reflects the of wisdom 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. |
44 | 44 | Advancement by sacrifice | Show all text | Christianity causes men to turn naturally from matter 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 Advancement had a clear apprehension that, as mortal man by achieves no worldly honors except by sacrifice, 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. |
45 | 45 | Dangerous knowledge | Show all text | 12 Any attempt to heal mortals with erring mortal mind, instead of resting on the omnipotence of the divine Mi...nd, must prove abortive. Committing the Dangerous 15 bare process of mental healing to frail mor- knowledge 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. |
46 | 46 | Certainty of results | Show all text | 24 To mortal sense Christian Science seems abstract, but the process is simple and the results are sure if the Sc...ience is understood. The tree must be good, which Certainty 27 produces good fruit. Guided by divine Truth of results 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- 1 physics as laid down in this work, and rest his demonstra- tion on this sure basis. |
47 | 47 | Ontology defined | Show all text | 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 Ontology 6 Mind-healing rests on the apprehension of the defined 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. |
48 | 48 | Mischievous imagination | Show all text | 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 Mischievous is therefore to be dealt with through right ap- imagination 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." |
49 | 49 | Authors early instructions | Show all text | 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 Author's early 27 spiritual condition, and she had to do this orally instructions 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. |
50 | 50 | Proof by induction | Show all text | 1 I do not maintain that anyone can exist in the flesh without food and raiment; but I do believe that the 3 re...al man is immortal and that he lives in Proof by Spirit, not matter. Christian Science must induction 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. |
51 | 51 | Rapidity of assimilation | Show all text | Systematic teaching and the student's spiritual growth and experience in practice are requisite for a thorough... 1 comprehension of Christian Science. Some individu- als assimilate truth more readily than others, but any 3 student, who adheres to the divine rules Rapidity of of Christian Science and imbibes the spirit assimilation 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. |
52 | 52 | Divided loyalty | Show all text | 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 Divided 12 Truth, he will inevitably reap the error he sows. loyalty 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. |
53 | 53 | Anatomy defined | Show all text | Anatomy, when conceived of spiritually, is mental self- 21 knowledge, and consists in the dissection of thoughts ...to discover their quality, quantity, and origin. Anatomy Are thoughts divine or human? That is the defined 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 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. |
54 | 54 | Scientific obstetrics | Show all text | 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, Scientific you should so detach mortal thought from its obstetrics 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. |
55 | 55 | Unhesitating decision | Show all text | 21 To decide quickly as to the proper treatment of error — whether error is manifested in forms of sickness, s...in, or death — is the first step towards destroy- Unhesitating 24 ing error. Our Master treated error through decision 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. |
56 | 56 | Seclusion of the author | Show all text | It has been said to the author, "The world is bene- 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 Seclusion of time the author has had, in which to make the author 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. |
57 | 57 | Handling an extreme emergency | Show all text | If from an injury or from any cause, a Christian Scien- tist were seized with pain so violent that he could no...t 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." |
58 | 58 | The right motive and its reward | Show all text | 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, The right 24 ignorance, envy, fall before an honest heart. motive and Adulterating Christian Science, makes it void. its reward 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. |