Chapter XII - Christian Science Practice
Disease far more docile than iniquity
373:1
If we are Christians on all moral questions, but are in
If we are Christians on all moral questions, but are in
darkness as to the physical exemption which Christian-
ity includes, then we must have more faith
in God on this subject and be more alive to
His promises. It is easier to cure the most
malignant disease than it is to cure sin. The author has
raised up the dying, partly because they were willing to
be restored, while she has struggled long, and perhaps in
vain, to lift a student out of a chronic sin. Under all
modes of pathological treatment, the sick recover more
rapidly from disease than does the sinner from his sin.
Healing is easier than teaching, if the teaching is faithfully
done.
Love frees from fear
373:14
The fear of disease and the love of sin are the sources
The fear of disease and the love of sin are the sources
of man's enslavement. "The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom," but the Scriptures
also declare, through the exalted thought of John, that
"perfect Love casteth out fear."
373:19
The fear occasioned by ignorance can be cured; but
The fear occasioned by ignorance can be cured; but
to remove the effects of fear produced by sin, you must
rise above both fear and sin. Disease is expressed not
so much by the lips as in the functions of the body. Es-
tablish the scientific sense of health, and you relieve the
oppressed organ. The inflammation, decomposition, or
deposit will abate, and the disabled organ will resume its
healthy functions.
Mind circulates blood
373:27
When the blood rushes madly through the veins or
When the blood rushes madly through the veins or
languidly creeps along its frozen channels, we call these
conditions disease. This is a misconception.
Mortal mind is producing the propulsion or the
languor, and we prove this to be so when by mental means
the circulation is changed, and returns to that standard
374:1
which mortal mind has decided upon as essential for
which mortal mind has decided upon as essential for
health. Anodynes, counter-irritants, and depletion never
reduce inflammation scientifically, but the truth of being,
whispered into the ear of mortal mind, will bring relief.
Mind can destroy all ills
374:5
Hatred and its effects on the body are removed by
Hatred and its effects on the body are removed by
Love. Because mortal mind seems to be conscious, the
sick say: "How can my mind cause a disease
I never thought of and knew nothing about,
until it appeared on my body?" The author has an-
swered this question in her explanation of disease as origi-
nating in human belief before it is consciously apparent
on the body, which is in fact the objective state of mortal
mind, though it is called matter. This mortal blindness
and its sharp consequences show our need of divine meta-
physics. Through immortal Mind, or Truth, we can
destroy all ills which proceed from mortal mind.
374:17
Ignorance of the cause or approach of disease is no
Ignorance of the cause or approach of disease is no
argument against the mental origin of disease. You con-
fess to ignorance of the future and incapacity to preserve
your own existence, and this belief helps rather than
hinders disease. Such a state of mind induces sickness.
It is like walking in darkness on the edge of a precipice.
You cannot forget the belief of danger, and your steps
are less firm because of your fear, and ignorance of mental
cause and effect.
Temperature is mental
374:26
Heat and cold are products of mortal mind. The body,
Heat and cold are products of mortal mind. The body,
when bereft of mortal mind, at first cools, and after-
wards it is resolved into its primitive mortal
elements. Nothing that lives ever dies, and
vice versa. Mortal mind produces animal heat, and then
expels it through the abandonment of a belief, or in-
creases it to the point of self-destruction. Hence it is