Preface
xi:1
Many imagine that the phenomena of physical heal-
Many imagine that the phenomena of physical heal-
ing in Christian Science present only a phase of the
action of the human mind, which action in some unex-
plained way results in the cure of disease. On the con-
trary, Christian Science rationally explains that all
other pathological methods are the fruits of human
faith in matter, – faith in the workings, not of Spirit,
but of the fleshly mind which must yield to Science.
xi:9
The physical healing of Christian Science results
The physical healing of Christian Science results
now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine
Principle, before which sin and disease lose their real-
ity in human consciousness and disappear as naturally
and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and
sin to reformation. Now, as then, these mighty works
are not supernatural, but supremely natural. They are
the sign of Immanuel, or "God with us," – a divine
influence ever present in human consciousness and re-
peating itself, coming now as was promised aforetime,
xi:19
To preach deliverance to the captives [of sense],
To preach deliverance to the captives [of sense],
And recovering of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty them that are bruised.
xi:22
When God called the author to proclaim His Gospel
When God called the author to proclaim His Gospel
to this age, there came also the charge to plant and
water His vineyard.
xi:25
The first school of Christian Science Mind-healing
The first school of Christian Science Mind-healing
was started by the author with only one student in
Lynn, Massachusetts, about the year 1867. In 1881,
she opened the Massachusetts Metaphysical College in
Boston, under the seal of the Commonwealth, a law
relative to colleges having been passed, which enabled
her to get this institution chartered for medical pur-
xii:1
poses. No charters were granted to Christian Scien-
poses. No charters were granted to Christian Scien-
tists for such institutions after 1883, and up to that
date, hers was the only College of this character which
had been established in the United States, where
Christian Science was first introduced.
xii:6
During seven years over four thousand students
During seven years over four thousand students
were taught by the author in this College. Meanwhile
she was pastor of the first established Church of
Christ, Scientist; President of the first Christian Sci-
entist Association, convening monthly; publisher of
her own works; and (for a portion of this time) sole
editor and publisher of the Christian Science Journal,
the first periodical issued by Christian Scientists. She
closed her College, October 29, 1889, in the height of
its prosperity with a deep-lying conviction that the
next two years of her life should be given to the prep-
aration of the revision of SCIENCE AND HEALTH, which
was published in 1891. She retained her charter, and
as its President, reopened the College in 1899 as auxil-
iary to her church. Until June 10, 1907, she had never
read this book throughout consecutively in order to elu-
cidate her idealism.
xii:23
In the spirit of Christ's charity, – as one who "hopeth
In the spirit of Christ's charity, – as one who "hopeth
all things, endureth all things," and is joyful to bear
consolation to the sorrowing and healing to the sick, –
she commits these pages to honest seekers for Truth.
xii:27
MARY BAKER EDDY
MARY BAKER EDDY
xii:28
NOTE. – The author takes no patients,
NOTE. – The author takes no patients,
and declines medical consultation.
Chapter I
Prayer
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this moun-
tain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt
in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come
to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you,
What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him
– CHRIST JESUS.
1:1
THE prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the
THE prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the
sick is an absolute faith that all things are
possible to God, – a spiritual understanding of Him,
an unselfed love. Regardless of what another may say
or think on this subject, I speak from experience.
Prayer, watching, and working, combined with self-im-
molation, are God's gracious means for accomplishing
whatever has been successfully done for the Christian-
ization and health of mankind.
1:10
Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the divine
Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the divine
Mind. Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from
trusting God with our desires, that they may be
moulded and exalted before they take form in words
and in deeds.
Right motives
2:1
What are the motives for prayer? Do we pray to
What are the motives for prayer? Do we pray to
make ourselves better or to benefit those who hear us,
to enlighten the infinite or to be heard of
men? Are we benefited by praying? Yes,
the desire which goes forth hungering after righteous-
ness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return
unto us void.
Deity unchangeable
2:8
God is not moved by the breath of praise to do more
God is not moved by the breath of praise to do more
than He has already done, nor can the infinite do less
than bestow all good, since He is unchang-
ing wisdom and Love. We can do more for
ourselves by humble fervent petitions, but the All-lov-
ing does not grant them simply on the ground of lip-
service, for He already knows all.
2:15
Prayer cannot change the Science of being, but it
Prayer cannot change the Science of being, but it
tends to bring us into harmony with it. Goodness at-
tains the demonstration of Truth. A request that
God will save us is not all that is required. The mere
habit of pleading with the divine Mind, as one pleads
with a human being, perpetuates the belief in God as
humanly circumscribed, – an error which impedes spirit-
ual growth.
God's standard
2:23
God is Love. Can we ask Him to be more? God is
God is Love. Can we ask Him to be more? God is
intelligence. Can we inform the infinite Mind of any-
thing He does not already comprehend?
Do we expect to change perfection? Shall
we plead for more at the open fount, which is pour-
ing forth more than we accept? The unspoken desire
does bring us nearer the source of all existence and
blessedness.
2:31
Asking God to be God is a vain repetition. God is
Asking God to be God is a vain repetition. God is
"the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever;" and
3:1
He who is immutably right will do right without being
He who is immutably right will do right without being
reminded of His province. The wisdom of man is not
sufficient to warrant him in advising God.
The spiritual mathematics
3:4
Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the
Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the
principle of mathematics to solve the problem? The
rule is already established, and it is our
task to work out the solution. Shall we
ask the divine Principle of all goodness to do His own
work? His work is done, and we have only to avail
ourselves of God's rule in order to receive His bless-
ing, which enables us to work out our own salvation.
3:12
The Divine Being must be reflected by man, – else
The Divine Being must be reflected by man, – else
man is not the image and likeness of the patient,
tender, and true, the One "altogether lovely;" but to
understand God is the work of eternity, and demands
absolute consecration of thought, energy, and desire.
Prayerful ingratitude
3:17
How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit
How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit
theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, omni-
present, infinite, and then we try to give
information to this infinite Mind. We plead
for unmerited pardon and for a liberal outpouring of
benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good
already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the
blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more.
Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of
thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.
3:27
If we are ungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and
If we are ungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and
yet return thanks to God for all blessings, we are in-
sincere and incur the sharp censure our Master pro-
nounces on hypocrites. In such a case, the only
acceptable prayer is to put the finger on the lips and
remember our blessings. While the heart is far from
4:1
divine Truth and Love, we cannot conceal the ingrati-
divine Truth and Love, we cannot conceal the ingrati-
tude of barren lives.
Efficacious petitions
4:3
What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire
What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire
for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness,
love, and good deeds. To keep the com-
mandments of our Master and follow his
example, is our proper debt to him and the only
worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has
done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to
express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has
said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
4:12
The habitual struggle to be always good is unceas-
The habitual struggle to be always good is unceas-
ing prayer. Its motives are made manifest in the
blessings they bring, – blessings which, even if not
acknowledged in audible words, attest our worthiness
to be partakers of Love.
Watchfulness requisite
4:17
Simply asking that we may love God will never
Simply asking that we may love God will never
make us love Him; but the longing to be better
and holier, expressed in daily watchful-
ness and in striving to assimilate more of
the divine character, will mould and fashion us
anew, until we awake in His likeness. We reach the
Science of Christianity through demonstration of the
divine nature; but in this wicked world goodness
will "be evil spoken of," and patience must bring
experience.
Veritable devotion
4:27
Audible prayer can never do the works of spiritual
Audible prayer can never do the works of spiritual
understanding, which regenerates; but silent prayer,
watchfulness, and devout obedience enable
us to follow Jesus' example. Long prayers,
superstition, and creeds clip the strong pinions of love,
and clothe religion in human forms. Whatever mate-
5:1
rializes worship hinders man's spiritual growth and keeps
rializes worship hinders man's spiritual growth and keeps
him from demonstrating his power over error.
Sorrow and reformation
5:3
Sorrow for wrong-doing is but one step towards reform
Sorrow for wrong-doing is but one step towards reform
and the very easiest step. The next and great step re-
quired by wisdom is the test of our sincerity,
– namely, reformation. To this end we are
placed under the stress of circumstances. Temptation
bids us repeat the offence, and woe comes in return for
what is done. So it will ever be, till we learn that there
is no discount in the law of justice and that we must pay
"the uttermost farthing." The measure ye mete "shall
be measured to you again," and it will be full "and run-
ning over."
5:14
Saints and sinners get their full award, but not always
Saints and sinners get their full award, but not always
in this world. The followers of Christ drank his cup.
Ingratitude and persecution filled it to the brim; but God
pours the riches of His love into the understanding and
affections, giving us strength according to our day. Sin-
ners flourish "like a green bay tree;" but, looking farther,
the Psalmist could see their end, – the destruction of sin
through suffering.
Cancellation of human sin
5:22
Prayer is not to be used as a confessional to cancel sin.
Prayer is not to be used as a confessional to cancel sin.
Such an error would impede true religion. Sin is forgiven
only as it is destroyed by Christ, – Truth and
Life. If prayer nourishes the belief that sin is
cancelled, and that man is made better merely by praying,
prayer is an evil. He grows worse who continues in sin
because he fancies himself forgiven.
Diabolism destroyed
5:29
An apostle says that the Son of God [Christ] came to
An apostle says that the Son of God [Christ] came to
"destroy the works of the devil." We should
follow our divine Exemplar, and seek the de-
struction of all evil works, error and disease included.
6:1
We cannot escape the penalty due for sin. The Scrip-
We cannot escape the penalty due for sin. The Scrip-
tures say, that if we deny Christ, "he also will deny us."
Pardon and amendment
6:3
Divine Love corrects and governs man. Men may
Divine Love corrects and governs man. Men may
pardon, but this divine Principle alone reforms the
sinner. God is not separate from the wis-
dom He bestows. The talents He gives we
must improve. Calling on Him to forgive our work
badly done or left undone, implies the vain supposition
that we have nothing to do but to ask pardon, and
that afterwards we shall be free to repeat the offence.
6:11
To cause suffering as the result of sin, is the means
To cause suffering as the result of sin, is the means
of destroying sin. Every supposed pleasure in sin
will furnish more than its equivalent of pain, until be-
lief in material life and sin is destroyed. To reach
heaven, the harmony of being, we must understand
the divine Principle of being.
Mercy without partiality
6:17
"God is Love." More than this we cannot ask,
"God is Love." More than this we cannot ask,
higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go. To
suppose that God forgives or punishes sin
according as His mercy is sought or un-
sought, is to misunderstand Love and to make prayer
the safety-valve for wrong-doing.
Divine severity
6:23
Jesus uncovered and rebuked sin before he cast it
Jesus uncovered and rebuked sin before he cast it
out. Of a sick woman he said that Satan had bound
her, and to Peter he said, "Thou art an of-
fence unto me." He came teaching and
showing men how to destroy sin, sickness, and death.
He said of the fruitless tree, "[It] is hewn down."
6:29
It is believed by many that a certain magistrate,
It is believed by many that a certain magistrate,
who lived in the time of Jesus, left this record: "His
rebuke is fearful." The strong language of our Mas-
ter confirms this description.
7:1
The only civil sentence which he had for error was,
The only civil sentence which he had for error was,
"Get thee behind me, Satan." Still stronger evidence
that Jesus' reproof was pointed and pungent is found
in his own words, – showing the necessity for such
forcible utterance, when he cast out devils and healed
the sick and sinning. The relinquishment of error de-
prives material sense of its false claims.
Audible praying
7:8
Audible prayer is impressive; it gives momentary
Audible prayer is impressive; it gives momentary
solemnity and elevation to thought. But does it pro-
duce any lasting benefit? Looking deeply
into these things, we find that "a zeal . . .
not according to knowledge" gives occasion for reac-
tion unfavorable to spiritual growth, sober resolve, and
wholesome perception of God's requirements. The mo-
tives for verbal prayer may embrace too much love of
applause to induce or encourage Christian sentiment.
Emotional utterances
7:17
Physical sensation, not Soul, produces material ec-
Physical sensation, not Soul, produces material ec-
stasy and emotion. If spiritual sense always guided
men, there would grow out of ecstatic mo-
ments a higher experience and a better life
with more devout self-abnegation and purity. A self‑
satisfied ventilation of fervent sentiments never makes
a Christian. God is not influenced by man. The "di-
vine ear" is not an auditory nerve. It is the all-hearing
and all-knowing Mind, to whom each need of man is
always known and by whom it will be supplied.
Danger from audible prayer
7:27
The danger from prayer is that it may lead us into temp-
The danger from prayer is that it may lead us into temp-
tation. By it we may become involuntary hypocrites, ut-
tering desires which are not real and consoling
ourselves in the midst of sin with the recollection
that we have prayed over it or mean to ask for-
giveness at some later day. Hypocrisy is fatal to religion.
8:1
A wordy prayer may afford a quiet sense of self‑
A wordy prayer may afford a quiet sense of self‑
justification, though it makes the sinner a hypocrite.
We never need to despair of an honest heart; but
there is little hope for those who come only spasmodi-
cally face to face with their wickedness and then seek to
hide it. Their prayers are indexes which do not correspond
with their character. They hold secret fellowship with
sin, and such externals are spoken of by Jesus as "like
unto whited sepulchres . . . full . . . of all uncleanness."
Aspiration and love
8:10
If a man, though apparently fervent and prayerful,
If a man, though apparently fervent and prayerful,
is impure and therefore insincere, what must be the
comment upon him? If he reached the
loftiness of his prayer, there would be no
occasion for comment. If we feel the aspiration, hu-
mility, gratitude, and love which our words express, –
this God accepts; and it is wise not to try to deceive
ourselves or others, for "there is nothing covered that
shall not be revealed." Professions and audible pray-
ers are like charity in one respect, – they "cover the
multitude of sins." Praying for humility with what-
ever fervency of expression does not always mean a
desire for it. If we turn away from the poor, we are
not ready to receive the reward of Him who blesses
the poor. We confess to having a very wicked heart
and ask that it may be laid bare before us, but do
we not already know more of this heart than we are
willing to have our neighbor see?
Searching the heart
8:28
We should examine ourselves and learn what is the
We should examine ourselves and learn what is the
affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way
only can we learn what we honestly are. If a
friend informs us of a fault, do we listen pa-
tiently to the rebuke and credit what is said? Do we not
9:1
rather give thanks that we are "not as other men"?
rather give thanks that we are "not as other men"?
During many years the author has been most grateful
for merited rebuke. The wrong lies in unmerited cen-
sure, – in the falsehood which does no one any good.
Summit of aspiration
9:5
The test of all prayer lies in the answer to these
The test of all prayer lies in the answer to these
questions: Do we love our neighbor better because of
this asking? Do we pursue the old selfish-
ness, satisfied with having prayed for some-
thing better, though we give no evidence of the sin-
cerity of our requests by living consistently with our
prayer? If selfishness has given place to kindness,
we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless
them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great
duty simply by asking that it may be done. There is
a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition
of our hope and faith.
Practical religion
9:17
Dost thou "love the Lord thy God with all thy
Dost thou "love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind"?
This command includes much, even the sur-
render of all merely material sensation, affec-
tion, and worship. This is the El Dorado of Christianity.
It involves the Science of Life, and recognizes only the
divine control of Spirit, in which Soul is our master,
and material sense and human will have no place.
The chalice sacrificial
9:25
Are you willing to leave all for Christ, for Truth, and
Are you willing to leave all for Christ, for Truth, and
so be counted among sinners? No! Do you really desire
to attain this point? No! Then why make long
prayers about it and ask to be Christians,
since you do not care to tread in the footsteps of our
dear Master? If unwilling to follow his example, why
pray with the lips that you may be partakers of his
nature? Consistent prayer is the desire to do right.
10:1
Prayer means that we desire to walk and will walk in
Prayer means that we desire to walk and will walk in
the light so far as we receive it, even though with bleed-
ing footsteps, and that waiting patiently on the Lord,
we will leave our real desires to be rewarded by Him.
10:5
The world must grow to the spiritual understanding
The world must grow to the spiritual understanding
of prayer. If good enough to profit by Jesus' cup of
earthly sorrows, God will sustain us under these sor-
rows. Until we are thus divinely qualified and are
willing to drink his cup, millions of vain repetitions
will never pour into prayer the unction of Spirit in
demonstration of power and "with signs following."
Christian Science reveals a necessity for overcoming the
world, the flesh, and evil, and thus destroying all error.
10:14
Seeking is not sufficient. It is striving that enables
Seeking is not sufficient. It is striving that enables
us to enter. Spiritual attainments open the door to a
higher understanding of the divine Life.
Perfunctory prayers
10:17
One of the forms of worship in Thibet is to carry a
One of the forms of worship in Thibet is to carry a
praying-machine through the streets, and stop at the
doors to earn a penny by grinding out a
prayer. But the advance guard of progress has
paid for the privilege of prayer the price of persecution.
Asking amiss
10:22
Experience teaches us that we do not always receive
Experience teaches us that we do not always receive
the blessings we ask for in prayer. There is some mis-
apprehension of the source and means of
all goodness and blessedness, or we should
certainly receive that for which we ask. The Scrip-
tures say: "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask
amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." That
which we desire and for which we ask, it is not always
best for us to receive. In this case infinite Love will
not grant the request. Do you ask wisdom to be mer-
ciful and not to punish sin? Then "ye ask amiss."
11:1
Without punishment, sin would multiply. Jesus' prayer,
Without punishment, sin would multiply. Jesus' prayer,
"Forgive us our debts," specified also the terms of
forgiveness. When forgiving the adulterous woman he
said, "Go, and sin no more."
Remission of penalty
11:5
A magistrate sometimes remits the penalty, but this
A magistrate sometimes remits the penalty, but this
may be no moral benefit to the criminal, and at best, it
only saves the criminal from one form of
punishment. The moral law, which has the
right to acquit or condemn, always demands restitu-
tion before mortals can "go up higher." Broken law
brings penalty in order to compel this progress.
Truth annihilates error
11:12
Mere legal pardon (and there is no other, for divine
Mere legal pardon (and there is no other, for divine
Principle never pardons our sins or mistakes till they
are corrected) leaves the offender free to re-
peat the offence, if indeed, he has not already
suffered sufficiently from vice to make him turn from it
with loathing. Truth bestows no pardon upon error, but
wipes it out in the most effectual manner. Jesus suffered
for our sins, not to annul the divine sentence for an in-
dividual's sin, but because sin brings inevitable suffering.
Desire for holiness
11:21
Petitions bring to mortals only the results of mor-
Petitions bring to mortals only the results of mor-
tals' own faith. We know that a desire for holiness is
requisite in order to gain holiness; but if we
desire holiness above all else, we shall sac-
rifice everything for it. We must be willing to do this,
that we may walk securely in the only practical road
to holiness. Prayer cannot change the unalterable
Truth, nor can prayer alone give us an understanding
of Truth; but prayer, coupled with a fervent habitual
desire to know and do the will of God, will bring us
into all Truth. Such a desire has little need of audible
expression. It is best expressed in thought and in life.
Prayer for the sick
12:1
"The prayer of faith shall save the sick," says the
"The prayer of faith shall save the sick," says the
Scripture. What is this healing prayer? A mere re-
quest that God will heal the sick has no
power to gain more of the divine presence
than is always at hand. The beneficial effect of
such prayer for the sick is on the human mind, mak-
ing it act more powerfully on the body through a blind
faith in God. This, however, is one belief casting out
another, – a belief in the unknown casting out a belief
in sickness. It is neither Science nor Truth which
acts through blind belief, nor is it the human under-
standing of the divine healing Principle as manifested
in Jesus, whose humble prayers were deep and con-
scientious protests of Truth, – of man's likeness to
God and of man's unity with Truth and Love.
12:16
Prayer to a corporeal God affects the sick like a
Prayer to a corporeal God affects the sick like a
drug, which has no efficacy of its own but borrows its
power from human faith and belief. The drug does
nothing, because it has no intelligence. It is a mortal
belief, not divine Principle or Love, which causes a
drug to be apparently either poisonous or sanative.
12:22
The common custom of praying for the recovery of the
The common custom of praying for the recovery of the
sick finds help in blind belief, whereas help should come
from the enlightened understanding. Changes in belief
may go on indefinitely, but they are the merchandise of
human thought and not the outgrowth of divine Science.
Love impartial and universal
12:27
Does Deity interpose in behalf of one worshipper,
Does Deity interpose in behalf of one worshipper,
and not help another who offers the same measure of
prayer? If the sick recover because they
pray or are prayed for audibly, only peti-
tioners (per se or by proxy) should get well. In divine
Science, where prayers are mental, all may avail them-
13:1
selves of God as "a very present help in trouble."
selves of God as "a very present help in trouble."
Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and
bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, "Ho,
every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters."
Public exaggerations
13:5
In public prayer we often go beyond our convictions,
In public prayer we often go beyond our convictions,
beyond the honest standpoint of fervent desire. If we
are not secretly yearning and openly striv-
ing for the accomplishment of all we ask,
our prayers are "vain repetitions," such as the heathen
use. If our petitions are sincere, we labor for what we
ask; and our Father, who seeth in secret, will reward
us openly. Can the mere public expression of our de-
sires increase them? Do we gain the omnipotent ear
sooner by words than by thoughts? Even if prayer is
sincere, God knows our need before we tell Him or our
fellow-beings about it. If we cherish the desire hon-
estly and silently and humbly, God will bless it, and
we shall incur less risk of overwhelming our real
wishes with a torrent of words.
Corporeal ignorance
13:20
If we pray to God as a corporeal person, this will
If we pray to God as a corporeal person, this will
prevent us from relinquishing the human doubts and
fears which attend such a belief, and so we
cannot grasp the wonders wrought by infi-
nite, incorporeal Love, to whom all things are possible.
Because of human ignorance of the divine Principle,
Love, the Father of all is represented as a corporeal
creator; hence men recognize themselves as merely
physical, and are ignorant of man as God's image or re-
flection and of man's eternal incorporeal existence. The
world of error is ignorant of the world of Truth, – blind
to the reality of man's existence, – for the world of sen-
sation is not cognizant of life in Soul, not in body.
Bodily presence
14:1
If we are sensibly with the body and regard omnipo-
If we are sensibly with the body and regard omnipo-
tence as a corporeal, material person, whose ear we
would gain, we are not "absent from the
body" and "present with the Lord" in the
demonstration of Spirit. We cannot "serve two mas-
ters." To be "present with the Lord" is to have, not
mere emotional ecstasy or faith, but the actual demon-
stration and understanding of Life as revealed in
Christian Science. To be "with the Lord" is to be in
obedience to the law of God, to be absolutely governed
by divine Love, – by Spirit, not by matter.
Spiritualized consciousness
14:12
Become conscious for a single moment that Life and
Become conscious for a single moment that Life and
intelligence are purely spiritual, – neither in nor of
matter, – and the body will then utter no
complaints. If suffering from a belief in
sickness, you will find yourself suddenly well. Sorrow
is turned into joy when the body is controlled by spir-
itual Life, Truth, and Love. Hence the hope of the
promise Jesus bestows: "He that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also; . . . because I
go unto my Father," – [because the Ego is absent from
the body, and present with Truth and Love.] The
Lord's Prayer is the prayer of Soul, not of material
sense.
14:25
Entirely separate from the belief and dream of mate-
Entirely separate from the belief and dream of mate-
rial living, is the Life divine, revealing spiritual under-
standing and the consciousness of man's dominion
over the whole earth. This understanding casts out
error and heals the sick, and with it you can speak
"as one having authority."
14:31
"When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and,
"When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and,
when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father
15:1
which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in
which is in secret; and thy Father, which seeth in
secret, shall reward thee openly."
Spiritual sanctuary
15:3
So spake Jesus. The closet typifies the sanctuary of
So spake Jesus. The closet typifies the sanctuary of
Spirit, the door of which shuts out sinful sense but
lets in Truth, Life, and Love. Closed to
error, it is open to Truth, and vice versa.
The Father in secret is unseen to the physical senses,
but He knows all things and rewards according to
motives, not according to speech. To enter into the
heart of prayer, the door of the erring senses must be
closed. Lips must be mute and materialism silent,
that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine
Principle, Love, which destroys all error.
Effectual invocation
15:14
In order to pray aright, we must enter into the
In order to pray aright, we must enter into the
closet and shut the door. We must close the lips and
silence the material senses. In the quiet
sanctuary of earnest longings, we must
deny sin and plead God's allness. We must resolve to
take up the cross, and go forth with honest hearts to
work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love. We
must "pray without ceasing." Such prayer is an-
swered, in so far as we put our desires into practice.
The Master's injunction is, that we pray in secret and
let our lives attest our sincerity.
Trustworthy beneficence
15:25
Christians rejoice in secret beauty and bounty, hidden
Christians rejoice in secret beauty and bounty, hidden
from the world, but known to God. Self-forgetfulness,
purity, and affection are constant prayers.
Practice not profession, understanding not
belief, gain the ear and right hand of omnipotence and
they assuredly call down infinite blessings. Trustworthi-
ness is the foundation of enlightened faith. Without a
fitness for holiness, we cannot receive holiness.