Chapter XII - Christian Science Practice
Temperature is mental
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mortal mind, not matter, which says, "I die." Heat
mortal mind, not matter, which says, "I die." Heat
would pass from the body as painlessly as gas dissipates
into the air when it evaporates but for the belief that in-
flammation and pain must accompany the separation of
heat from the body.
Science versus hypnotism
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Chills and heat are often the form in which fever mani-
Chills and heat are often the form in which fever mani-
fests itself. Change the mental state, and the chills and
fever disappear. The old-school physician
proves this when his patient says, "I am better,"
but the patient believes that matter, not mind,
has helped him. The Christian Scientist demonstrates
that divine Mind heals, while the hypnotist dispossesses
the patient of his individuality in order to control him.
No person is benefited by yielding his mentality to any
mental despotism or malpractice. All unscientific mental
practice is erroneous and powerless, and should be under-
stood and so rendered fruitless. The genuine Christian
Scientist is adding to his patient's mental and moral power,
and is increasing his patient's spirituality while restoring
him physically through divine Love.
Cure for palsy
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Palsy is a belief that matter governs mortals, and can
Palsy is a belief that matter governs mortals, and can
paralyze the body, making certain portions of
it motionless. Destroy the belief, show mortal
mind that muscles have no power to be lost, for Mind is
supreme, and you cure the palsy.
Latent fear diagnosed
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Consumptive patients always show great hopeful-
Consumptive patients always show great hopeful-
ness and courage, even when they are supposed to be in
hopeless danger. This state of mind seems
anomalous except to the expert in Christian
Science. This mental state is not understood, simply
because it is a stage of fear so excessive that it amounts
to fortitude. The belief in consumption presents to mor-
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tal thought a hopeless state, an image more terrifying than
tal thought a hopeless state, an image more terrifying than
that of most other diseases. The patient turns involun-
tarily from the contemplation of it, but though unacknowl-
edged, the latent fear and the despair of recovery remain
in thought.
Insidious concepts
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Just so is it with the greatest sin. It is the most subtle,
Just so is it with the greatest sin. It is the most subtle,
and does its work almost self-deceived. The diseases
deemed dangerous sometimes come from the
most hidden, undefined, and insidious beliefs.
The pallid invalid, whom you declare to be wasting away
with consumption of the blood, should be told that blood
never gave life and can never take it away, – that Life is
Spirit, and that there is more life and immortality in one
good motive and act, than in all the blood which ever
flowed through mortal veins and simulated a corporeal
sense of life.
Remedy for fever
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If the body is material, it cannot, for that very reason,
If the body is material, it cannot, for that very reason,
suffer with a fever. Because the so-called material body
is a mental concept and governed by mortal
mind, it manifests only what that so-called
mind expresses. Therefore the efficient remedy is to
destroy the patient's false belief by both silently and au-
dibly arguing the true facts in regard to harmonious
being, – representing man as healthy instead of diseased,
and showing that it is impossible for matter to suffer, to
feel pain or heat, to be thirsty or sick. Destroy fear,
and you end fever. Some people, mistaught as to Mind‑
science, inquire when it will be safe to check a fever.
Know that in Science you cannot check a fever after ad-
mitting that it must have its course. To fear and admit
the power of disease, is to paralyze mental and scientific
demonstration.