Chapter XII - Christian Science Practice
Careful guidance
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that aught can overpower omnipotent and eternal Life,
that aught can overpower omnipotent and eternal Life,
and this Life must be brought to light by the understand-
ing that there is no death, as well as by other
graces of Spirit. We must begin, however,
with the more simple demonstrations of control, and
the sooner we begin the better. The final demonstration
takes time for its accomplishment. When walking, we
are guided by the eye. We look before our feet, and if
we are wise, we look beyond a single step in the line of
spiritual advancement.
Clay replying to the potter
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The corpse, deserted by thought, is cold and decays,
The corpse, deserted by thought, is cold and decays,
but it never suffers. Science declares that man is sub-
ject to Mind. Mortal mind affirms that mind
is subordinate to the body, that the body is
dying, that it must be buried and decomposed
into dust; but mortal mind's affirmation is not true.
Mortals waken from the dream of death with bodies un-
seen by those who think that they bury the body.
Continuity of existence
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If man did not exist before the material organization
If man did not exist before the material organization
began, he could not exist after the body is disintegrated.
If we live after death and are immortal, we
must have lived before birth, for if Life ever
had any beginning, it must also have an ending, even ac-
cording to the calculations of natural science. Do you
believe this? No! Do you understand it? No! This
is why you doubt the statement and do not demonstrate
the facts it involves. We must have faith in all the say-
ings of our Master, though they are not included in the
teachings of the schools, and are not understood gener-
ally by our ethical instructors.
Life all-inclusive
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Jesus said (John viii. 51), "If a man keep my saying,
Jesus said (John viii. 51), "If a man keep my saying,
he shall never see death." That statement is not con-
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fined to spiritual life, but includes all the phenomena of
fined to spiritual life, but includes all the phenomena of
existence. Jesus demonstrated this, healing the dying
and raising the dead. Mortal mind must part
with error, must put off itself with its deeds,
and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.
Faith should enlarge its borders and strengthen its base
by resting upon Spirit instead of matter. When man
gives up his belief in death, he will advance more rapidly
towards God, Life, and Love. Belief in sickness and
death, as certainly as belief in sin, tends to shut out the
true sense of Life and health. When will mankind wake
to this great fact in Science?
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I here present to my readers an allegory illustrative
I here present to my readers an allegory illustrative
of the law of divine Mind and of the supposed laws of mat-
ter and hygiene, an allegory in which the plea of Christian
Science heals the sick.
A mental court case
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Suppose a mental case to be on trial, as cases are tried
Suppose a mental case to be on trial, as cases are tried
in court. A man is charged with having committed liver‑
complaint. The patient feels ill, ruminates,
and the trial commences. Personal Sense is
the plaintiff. Mortal Man is the defendant. False Belief
is the attorney for Personal Sense. Mortal Minds, Ma-
teria Medica, Anatomy, Physiology, Hypnotism, Envy,
Greed and Ingratitude, constitute the jury. The court-
room is filled with interested spectators, and Judge
Medicine is on the bench.
The evidence for the prosecution being called for, a
witness testifies thus: –
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I represent Health-laws. I was present on certain nights
I represent Health-laws. I was present on certain nights
when the prisoner, or patient, watched with a sick friend.
Although I have the superintendence of human affairs, I
was personally abused on those occasions. I was told that