Chapter VII - Physiology
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ability to become a Scientist, and vice versa. The act
ability to become a Scientist, and vice versa. The act
of healing the sick through divine Mind alone, of casting
out error with Truth, shows your position as a Christian
Scientist.
Physiology or Spirit
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The demands of God appeal to thought only; but the
The demands of God appeal to thought only; but the
claims of mortality, and what are termed laws of nature,
appertain to matter. Which, then, are we to
accept as legitimate and capable of producing
the highest human good? We cannot obey both physi-
ology and Spirit, for one absolutely destroys the other,
and one or the other must be supreme in the affections.
It is impossible to work from two standpoints. If we
attempt it, we shall presently "hold to the one,
and despise the other."
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The hypotheses of mortals are antagonistic to Science
The hypotheses of mortals are antagonistic to Science
and cannot mix with it. This is clear to those, who heal
the sick on the basis of Science.
No material law
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Mind's government of the body must supersede the so‑
Mind's government of the body must supersede the so‑
called laws of matter. Obedience to material law pre-
vents full obedience to spiritual law, – the law
which overcomes material conditions and puts
matter under the feet of Mind. Mortals entreat the di-
vine Mind to heal the sick, and forthwith shut out the aid
of Mind by using material means, thus working against
themselves and their prayers and denying man's God‑
given ability to demonstrate Mind's sacred power. Pleas
for drugs and laws of health come from some sad incident,
or else from ignorance of Christian Science and its tran-
scendent power.
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To admit that sickness is a condition over which God
To admit that sickness is a condition over which God
has no control, is to presuppose that omnipotent power
is powerless on some occasions. The law of Christ, or
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Truth, makes all things possible to Spirit; but the so‑
Truth, makes all things possible to Spirit; but the so‑
called laws of matter would render Spirit of no avail, and
demand obedience to materialistic codes, thus departing
from the basis of one God, one lawmaker. To suppose
that God constitutes laws of inharmony is a mistake; dis-
cords have no support from nature or divine law, however
much is said to the contrary.
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Can the agriculturist, according to belief, produce a
Can the agriculturist, according to belief, produce a
crop without sowing the seed and awaiting its germina-
tion according to the laws of nature? The answer is no,
and yet the Scriptures inform us that sin, or error, first
caused the condemnation of man to till the ground, and
indicate that obedience to God will remove this necessity.
Truth never made error necessary, nor devised a law to
perpetuate error.
Laws of nature spiritual
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The supposed laws which result in weariness and dis-
The supposed laws which result in weariness and dis-
ease are not His laws, for the legitimate and only possible
action of Truth is the production of harmony.
Laws of nature are laws of Spirit; but mortals
commonly recognize as law that which hides the power of
Spirit. Divine Mind rightly demands man's entire obe-
dience, affection, and strength. No reservation is made
for any lesser loyalty. Obedience to Truth gives man
power and strength. Submission to error superinduces
loss of power.
Belief and understanding
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Truth casts out all evils and materialistic methods
Truth casts out all evils and materialistic methods
with the actual spiritual law, – the law which gives
sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, voice
to the dumb, feet to the lame. If Christian
Science dishonors human belief, it honors spir-
itual understanding; and the one Mind only is entitled to
honor.