Chapter XIII - Teaching Christian Science
Mental charlatanism
458:1
Mental quackery rests on the same platform as all
Mental quackery rests on the same platform as all
other quackery. The chief plank in this platform is the
doctrine that Science has two principles in
partnership, one good and the other evil, –
one spiritual, the other material, – and that these two
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-
form is this, that error will finally have the same effect
as truth.
Divinity ever ready
458:11
It is anything but scientifically Christian to think of
It is anything but scientifically Christian to think of
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
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
of Truth must turn in every direction to guard "the tree
of life."
The panoply of wisdom
458:20
Sin makes deadly thrusts at the Christian Scientist as
Sin makes deadly thrusts at the Christian Scientist as
ritualism and creed are summoned to give place to higher
law, but Science will ameliorate mortal malice.
The Christianly scientific man reflects the
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-
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
by which mortals are radically saved from sin and
sickness.
Advancement by sacrifice
458:32
Christianity causes men to turn naturally from matter
Christianity causes men to turn naturally from matter
459:1
to Spirit, as the flower turns from darkness to light.
to Spirit, as the flower turns from darkness to light.
Man then appropriates those things which "eye hath
not seen nor ear heard." Paul and John
had a clear apprehension that, as mortal man
achieves no worldly honors except by sacrifice,
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
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
459:12
Any attempt to heal mortals with erring mortal mind,
Any attempt to heal mortals with erring mortal mind,
instead of resting on the omnipotence of the divine
Mind, must prove abortive. Committing the
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
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-
chief, and ignorance is more harmful than wilful wicked-
ness, when the latter is distrusted and thwarted in its
incipiency.
Certainty of results
459:24
To mortal sense Christian Science seems abstract, but
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
produces good fruit. Guided by divine Truth
and not guesswork, the theologus (that is, the student –
the Christian and scientific expounder – of the divine
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-