Chapter XIII - Teaching Christian Science
Rapidity of assimilation
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comprehension of Christian Science. Some individu-
comprehension of Christian Science. Some individu-
als assimilate truth more readily than others, but any
student, who adheres to the divine rules
of Christian Science and imbibes the spirit
of Christ, can demonstrate Christian Science, cast out
error, heal the sick, and add continually to his store of
spiritual understanding, potency, enlightenment, and
success.
Divided loyalty
462:9
If the student goes away to practise Truth's teach-
If the student goes away to practise Truth's teach-
ings only in part, dividing his interests between God and
mammon and substituting his own views for
Truth, he will inevitably reap the error he sows.
Whoever would demonstrate the healing of Christian
Science must abide strictly by its rules, heed every state-
ment, and advance from the rudiments laid down. There
is nothing difficult nor toilsome in this task, when the way
is pointed out; but self-denial, sincerity, Christianity, and
persistence alone win the prize, as they usually do in every
department of life.
Anatomy defined
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Anatomy, when conceived of spiritually, is mental self‑
Anatomy, when conceived of spiritually, is mental self‑
knowledge, and consists in the dissection of thoughts to
discover their quality, quantity, and origin.
Are thoughts divine or human? That is the
important question. This branch of study is indispen-
sable to the excision of error. The anatomy of Christian
Science teaches when and how to probe the self-in-
flicted wounds of selfishness, malice, envy, and hate. It
teaches the control of mad ambition. It unfolds the
hallowed influences of unselfishness, philanthropy, spir-
itual love. It urges the government of the body both
in health and in sickness. The Christian Scientist,
through understanding mental anatomy, discerns and
463:1
deals with the real cause of disease. The material physi-
deals with the real cause of disease. The material physi-
cian gropes among phenomena, which fluctuate every in-
stant under influences not embraced in his diagnosis, and
so he may stumble and fall in the darkness.
Scientific obstetrics
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Teacher and student should also be familiar with the
Teacher and student should also be familiar with the
obstetrics taught by this Science. To attend properly
the birth of the new child, or divine idea,
you should so detach mortal thought from its
material conceptions, that the birth will be natural and
safe. Though gathering new energy, this idea cannot
injure its useful surroundings in the travail of spiritual
birth. A spiritual idea has not a single element of error,
and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive.
The new idea, conceived and born of Truth and Love, is
clad in white garments. Its beginning will be meek, its
growth sturdy, and its maturity undecaying. When
this new birth takes place, the Christian Science infant
is born of the Spirit, born of God, and can cause the
mother no more suffering. By this we know that Truth
is here and has fulfilled its perfect work.
Unhesitating decision
463:21
To decide quickly as to the proper treatment of error –
To decide quickly as to the proper treatment of error –
whether error is manifested in forms of sickness, sin,
or death – is the first step towards destroy-
ing error. Our Master treated error through
Mind. He never enjoined obedience to the laws of nature,
if by these are meant laws of matter, nor did he use drugs.
There is a law of God applicable to healing, and it is a
spiritual law instead of material. The sick are not healed
by inanimate matter or drugs, as they believe that they
are. Such seeming medical effect or action is that of so‑
called mortal mind.
Seclusion of the author
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It has been said to the author, "The world is bene-
It has been said to the author, "The world is bene-