Chapter XII - Christian Science Practice
Jurisdiction of Mind
379:1
If disease can attack and control the body without
If disease can attack and control the body without
the consent of mortals, sin can do the same, for both
are errors, announced as partners in the be-
ginning. The Christian Scientist finds only
effects, where the ordinary physician looks for causes.
The real jurisdiction of the world is in Mind, controlling
every effect and recognizing all causation as vested in
divine Mind.
Power of imagination
379:9
A felon, on whom certain English students experi-
A felon, on whom certain English students experi-
mented, fancied himself bleeding to death, and died be-
cause of that belief, when only a stream of
warm water was trickling over his arm. Had
he known his sense of bleeding was an illusion, he would
have risen above the false belief. Let the despairing in-
valid, inspecting the hue of her blood on a cambric hand-
kerchief, think of the experiment of those Oxford boys,
who caused the death of a man, when not a drop of his
blood was shed. Then let her learn the opposite state-
ment of life as taught in Christian Science, and she will
understand that she is not dying on account of the state of
her blood, but is suffering from her belief that blood is
destroying her life. The so-called vital current does not
affect the invalid's health, but her belief produces the
very results she dreads.
Fevers the effect of fear
379:25
Fevers are errors of various types. The quickened
Fevers are errors of various types. The quickened
pulse, coated tongue, febrile heat, dry skin, pain in the
head and limbs, are pictures drawn on the
body by a mortal mind. The images, held in
this disturbed mind, frighten conscious thought. Unless
the fever-picture, drawn by millions of mortals and im-
aged on the body through the belief that mind is in matter
and discord is as real as harmony, is destroyed through
380:1
Science, it may rest at length on some receptive thought,
Science, it may rest at length on some receptive thought,
and become a fever case, which ends in a belief called
death, which belief must be finally conquered by eternal
Life. Truth is always the victor. Sickness and sin fall
by their own weight. Truth is the rock of ages, the head-
stone of the corner, "but on whomsoever it shall fall, it
will grind him to powder."
Misdirected contention
380:8
Contending for the evidence or indulging the demands
Contending for the evidence or indulging the demands
of sin, disease, or death, we virtually contend against
the control of Mind over body, and deny the
power of Mind to heal. This false method
is as though the defendant should argue for the plaintiff
in favor of a decision which the defendant knows will
be turned against himself.
Benefits of metaphysics
380:15
The physical effects of fear illustrate its illusion. Gaz-
The physical effects of fear illustrate its illusion. Gaz-
ing at a chained lion, crouched for a spring, should not
terrify a man. The body is affected only with
the belief of disease produced by a so-called
mind ignorant of the truth which chains disease. Noth-
ing but the power of Truth can prevent the fear of
error, and prove man's dominion over error.
A higher discovery
380:22
Many years ago the author made a spiritual discov-
Many years ago the author made a spiritual discov-
ery, the scientific evidence of which has accumulated to
prove that the divine Mind produces in man
health, harmony, and immortality. Gradu-
ally this evidence will gather momentum and clearness,
until it reaches its culmination of scientific statement and
proof. Nothing is more disheartening than to believe
that there is a power opposite to God, or good, and that
God endows this opposing power with strength to be used
against Himself, against Life, health, harmony.
Ignorance of our rights
380:32
Every law of matter or the body, supposed to govern
Every law of matter or the body, supposed to govern