Chapter XIII
Teaching Christian Science
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just
man, and he will increase in learning. – PROVERBS.
Study of medicine
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WHEN the discoverer of Christian Science is con-
WHEN the discoverer of Christian Science is con-
sulted by her followers as to the propriety, advan-
tage, and consistency of systematic medical
study, she tries to show them that under ordi-
nary circumstances a resort to faith in corporeal means
tends to deter those, who make such a compromise, from
entire confidence in omnipotent Mind as really possessing
all power. While a course of medical study is at times
severely condemned by some Scientists, she feels, as she
always has felt, that all are privileged to work out their
own salvation according to their light, and that our motto
should be the Master's counsel, "Judge not, that ye be
not judged."
Failure's lessons
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If patients fail to experience the healing power of
If patients fail to experience the healing power of
Christian Science, and think they can be benefited by
certain ordinary physical methods of medical
treatment, then the Mind-physician should
give up such cases, and leave invalids free to resort to
whatever other systems they fancy will afford relief.
Thus such invalids may learn the value of the apostolic
precept: "Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and doctrine." If the sick find these material expedients
444:1
unsatisfactory, and they receive no help from them, these
unsatisfactory, and they receive no help from them, these
very failures may open their blind eyes. In some way,
sooner or later, all must rise superior to materiality, and
suffering is oft the divine agent in this elevation. "All
things work together for good to them that love God," is
the dictum of Scripture.
Refuge and strength
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If Christian Scientists ever fail to receive aid from
If Christian Scientists ever fail to receive aid from
other Scientists, – their brethren upon whom they may
call, – God will still guide them into the right
use of temporary and eternal means. Step by
step will those who trust Him find that "God is our refuge
and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Charity to those opposed
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Students are advised by the author to be charitable
Students are advised by the author to be charitable
and kind, not only towards differing forms of religion
and medicine, but to those who hold these dif-
fering opinions. Let us be faithful in pointing
the way through Christ, as we understand it,
but let us also be careful always to "judge righteous judg-
ment," and never to condemn rashly. "Whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
That is, Fear not that he will smite thee again for thy for-
bearance. If ecclesiastical sects or medical schools turn
a deaf ear to the teachings of Christian Science, then part
from these opponents as did Abraham when he parted
from Lot, and say in thy heart: "Let there be no strife, I
pray thee, between me and thee, and between My herd-
men and thy herdmen; for we be brethren." Immortals,
or God's children in divine Science, are one harmonious
family; but mortals, or the "children of men" in material
sense, are discordant and ofttimes false brethren.
Conforming to explicit rules
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The teacher must make clear to students the Science
The teacher must make clear to students the Science
of healing, especially its ethics, – that all is Mind, and