Science and Health
with Key to The Scriptures
by Mary Baker Eddy
Chapter XIII - Teaching Christian Science

 

Wicked evasions
448:1
there are no claims of evil and yet to indulge them, is
a moral offence. Blindness and self-righteousness cling
fast to iniquity. When the Publican's wail
went out to the great heart of Love, it won his
humble desire. Evil which obtains in the bodily senses,
but which the heart condemns, has no foundation; but if
evil is uncondemned, it is undenied and nurtured. Under
such circumstances, to say that there is no evil, is an evil
in itself. When needed tell the truth concerning the lie.
Evasion of Truth cripples integrity, and casts thee down
from the pinnacle.
Truth's grand results
448:12
Christian Science rises above the evidence of the cor-
poreal senses; but if you have not risen above sin your-
self, do not congratulate yourself upon your
blindness to evil or upon the good you know
and do not. A dishonest position is far from Christianly
scientific. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have
mercy." Try to leave on every student's mind the strong
impress of divine Science, a high sense of the moral and
spiritual qualifications requisite for healing, well knowing
it to be impossible for error, evil, and hate to accomplish
the grand results of Truth and Love. The reception or
pursuit of instructions opposite to absolute Christian
Science must always hinder scientific demonstration.
Adherence to righteousness
448:26
If the student adheres strictly to the teachings of Chris-
tian Science and ventures not to break its rules, he can-
not fail of success in healing. It is Christian
Science to do right, and nothing short of right-
doing has any claim to the name. To talk the right and
live the wrong is foolish deceit, doing one's self the most
harm. Fettered by sin yourself, it is difficult to free
449:1
another from the fetters of disease. With your own wrists
manacled, it is hard to break another's chains. A little
leaven causes the whole mass to ferment. A grain of
Christian Science does wonders for mortals, so omnip-
otent is Truth, but more of Christian Science must be
gained in order to continue in well doing.
Right adjusts the balance
449:7
The wrong done another reacts most heavily against
one's self. Right adjusts the balance sooner or later.
Think it "easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle," than for you to benefit
yourself by injuring others. Man's moral mercury, ris-
ing or falling, registers his healing ability and fitness to
teach. You should practise well what you know, and
you will then advance in proportion to your honesty
and fidelity, – qualities which insure success in this
Science; but it requires a higher understanding to teach
this subject properly and correctly than it does to heal
the most difficult case.
Inoculation of thought
449:19
The baneful effect of evil associates is less seen than
felt. The inoculation of evil human thoughts ought to
be understood and guarded against. The
first impression, made on a mind which is
attracted or repelled according to personal merit or de-
merit, is a good detective of individual character. Cer-
tain minds meet only to separate through simultaneous
repulsion. They are enemies without the preliminary
offence. The impure are at peace with the impure.
Only virtue is a rebuke to vice. A proper teacher of Chris-
tian Science improves the health and the morals of his
student if the student practises what he is taught, and
unless this result follows, the teacher is a Scientist only
in name.
Three classes of neophytes
450:1
There is a large class of thinkers whose bigotry and
conceit twist every fact to suit themselves. Their creed
teaches belief in a mysterious, supernatural
God, and in a natural, all-powerful devil. An-
other class, still more unfortunate, are so depraved that
they appear to be innocent. They utter a falsehood,
while looking you blandly in the face, and they never
fail to stab their benefactor in the back. A third class
of thinkers build with solid masonry. They are sincere,
generous, noble, and are therefore open to the approach
and recognition of Truth. To teach Christian Science
to such as these is no task. They do not incline long-
ingly to error, whine over the demands of Truth, nor
play the traitor for place and power.
Touchstone of Science
450:15
Some people yield slowly to the touch of Truth. Few
yield without a struggle, and many are reluctant to ac-
knowledge that they have yielded; but un-
less this admission is made, evil will boast
itself above good. The Christian Scientist has enlisted
to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome
them by understanding their nothingness and the allness
of God, or good. Sickness to him is no less a temptation
than is sin, and he heals them both by understanding
God's power over them. The Christian Scientist knows
that they are errors of belief, which Truth can and will
destroy.
False claims annihilated
450:27
Who, that has felt the perilous beliefs in life, substance,
and intelligence separated from God, can say that there
is no error of belief? Knowing the claim of
animal magnetism, that all evil combines in
the belief of life, substance, and intelligence in matter,
electricity, animal nature, and organic life, who will deny
451:1
that these are the errors which Truth must and will an-
nihilate? Christian Scientists must live under the con-
stant pressure of the apostolic command to come out from
the material world and be separate. They must re-
nounce aggression, oppression and the pride of power.
Christianity, with the crown of Love upon her brow,
must be their queen of life.
Treasure in heaven
451:8
Students of Christian Science, who start with its letter
and think to succeed without the spirit, will either make
shipwreck of their faith or be turned sadly
awry. They must not only seek, but strive,
to enter the narrow path of Life, for "wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be which go in thereat." Man walks in the
direction towards which he looks, and where his treasure
is, there will his heart be also. If our hopes and affec-
tions are spiritual, they come from above, not from be-
neath, and they bear as of old the fruits of the Spirit.
Obligations of teachers
451:19
Every Christian Scientist, every conscientious teacher
of the Science of Mind-healing, knows that human will
is not Christian Science, and he must recog-
nize this in order to defend himself from the
influence of human will. He feels morally obligated to
open the eyes of his students that they may perceive the
nature and methods of error of every sort, especially any
subtle degree of evil, deceived and deceiving. All mental
malpractice arises from ignorance or malice aforethought.
It is the injurious action of one mortal mind controlling
another from wrong motives, and it is practised either
with a mistaken or a wicked purpose.
Indispensable defence
451:31
Show your student that mental malpractice tends to
blast moral sense, health, and the human life. Instruct
452:1
him how to bar the door of his thought against this
seeming power, – a task not difficult, when one under-
stands that evil has in reality no power.
Incorrect reasoning leads to practical error.
The wrong thought should be arrested before it has a
chance to manifest itself.
Egotistic darkness
452:7
Walking in the light, we are accustomed to the light
and require it; we cannot see in darkness. But eyes ac-
customed to darkness are pained by the light.
When outgrowing the old, you should not fear
to put on the new. Your advancing course may pro-
voke envy, but it will also attract respect. When error
confronts you, withhold not the rebuke or the explana-
tion which destroys error. Never breathe an immoral
atmosphere, unless in the attempt to purify it. Better is
the frugal intellectual repast with contentment and virtue,
than the luxury of learning with egotism and vice.
Unwarranted expectations
452:18
Right is radical. The teacher must know the truth
himself. He must live it and love it, or he cannot impart
it to others. We soil our garments with con-
servatism, and afterwards we must wash them
clean. When the spiritual sense of Truth unfolds its
harmonies, you take no risks in the policy of error. Ex-
pect to heal simply by repeating the author's words, by
right talking and wrong acting, and you will be disap-
pointed. Such a practice does not demonstrate the
Science by which divine Mind heals the sick.
Reliable authority
452:28
Acting from sinful motives destroys your power of
healing from the right motive. On the other hand, if
you had the inclination or power to practise
wrongly and then should adopt Christian
Science, the wrong power would be destroyed. You do
453:1
not deny the mathematician's right to distinguish the cor-
rect from the incorrect among the examples on the black-
board, nor disbelieve the musician when he distinguishes
concord from discord. In like manner it should be granted
that the author understands what she is saying.
Winning the field
453:6
Right and wrong, truth and error, will be at strife in
the minds of students, until victory rests on the side of
invincible truth. Mental chemicalization fol-
lows the explanation of Truth, and a higher
basis is thus won; but with some individuals the morbid
moral or physical symptoms constantly reappear. I
have never witnessed so decided effects from the use of
material remedies as from the use of spiritual.
Knowledge and honesty
453:14
Teach your student that he must know himself be-
fore he can know others and minister to human needs.
Honesty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is
human weakness, which forfeits divine help.
You uncover sin, not in order to injure, but in order
to bless the corporeal man; and a right motive has
its reward. Hidden sin is spiritual wickedness in high
places. The masquerader in this Science thanks God
that there is no evil, yet serves evil in the name of
good.
Metaphysical treatment
453:24
You should treat sickness mentally just as you would
sin, except that you must not tell the patient that he is
sick nor give names to diseases, for such a
course increases fear, the foundation of dis-
ease, and impresses more deeply the wrong mind-picture.
A Christian Scientist's medicine is Mind, the divine Truth
that makes man free. A Christian Scientist never recom-
mends material hygiene, never manipulates. He does
not trespass on the rights of mind nor can he practise
454:1
animal magnetism or hypnotism. It need not be added
that the use of tobacco or intoxicating drinks is not in
harmony with Christian Science.
Impotence of hate
454:4
Teach your students the omnipotence of Truth, which
illustrates the impotence of error. The understanding,
even in a degree, of the divine All-power de-
stroys fear, and plants the feet in the true path,
– the path which leads to the house built without hands
"eternal in the heavens." Human hate has no legiti-
mate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned.
That evil or matter has neither intelligence nor power,
is the doctrine of absolute Christian Science, and this is
the great truth which strips all disguise from error.
Love the incentive
454:14
He, who understands in sufficient degree the Princi-
ple of Mind-healing, points out to his student error as
well as truth, the wrong as well as the right
practice. Love for God and man is the true
incentive in both healing and teaching. Love inspires,
illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives
give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to
speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of
Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the
waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept.
Patience must "have her perfect work."
Continuity of interest
454:25
Do not dismiss students at the close of a class term,
feeling that you have no more to do for them. Let your
loving care and counsel support all their feeble
footsteps, until your students tread firmly in
the straight and narrow way. The superiority of spir-
itual power over sensuous is the central point of Chris-
tian Science. Remember that the letter and mental
argument are only human auxiliaries to aid in bringing
455:1
thought into accord with the spirit of Truth and Love,
which heals the sick and the sinner.
Weakness and guilt
455:3
A mental state of self-condemnation and guilt or a
faltering and doubting trust in Truth are unsuitable
conditions for healing the sick. Such mental
states indicate weakness instead of strength.
Hence the necessity of being right yourself in order to
teach this Science of healing. You must utilize the moral
might of Mind in order to walk over the waves of error
and support your claims by demonstration. If you are
yourself lost in the belief and fear of disease or sin, and
if, knowing the remedy, you fail to use the energies of
Mind in your own behalf, you can exercise little or no
power for others' help. "First cast out the beam out
of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast
out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
The trust of the All-wise
455:17
The student, who receives his knowledge of Christian
Science, or metaphysical healing, from a human teacher,
may be mistaken in judgment and demonstra-
tion, but God cannot mistake. God selects
for the highest service one who has grown into such a
fitness for it as renders any abuse of the mission an im-
possibility. The All-wise does not bestow His highest
trusts upon the unworthy. When He commissions a mes-
senger, it is one who is spiritually near Himself. No per-
son can misuse this mental power, if he is taught of God
to discern it.
Integrity assured
455:28
This strong point in Christian Science is not to be
overlooked, – that the same fountain cannot send forth
both sweet waters and bitter. The higher
your attainment in the Science of mental
healing and teaching, the more impossible it will be-
456:1
come for you intentionally to influence mankind adverse
to its highest hope and achievement.
Chicanery impossible
456:3
Teaching or practising in the name of Truth, but con-
trary to its spirit or rules, is most dangerous quackery.
Strict adherence to the divine Principle and
rules of the scientific method has secured
the only success of the students of Christian Science.
This alone entitles them to the high standing which
most of them hold in the community, a reputation ex-
perimentally justified by their efforts. Whoever af-
firms that there is more than one Principle and method
of demonstrating Christian Science greatly errs, igno-
rantly or intentionally, and separates himself from the
true conception of Christian Science healing and from
its possible demonstration.
No dishonest concessions
456:16
Any dishonesty in your theory and practice betrays a
gross ignorance of the method of the Christ-cure. Science
makes no concessions to persons or opinions.
One must abide in the morale of truth or he
cannot demonstrate the divine Principle. So long as
matter is the basis of practice, illness cannot be effica-
ciously treated by the metaphysical process. Truth does
the work, and you must both understand and abide by the
divine Principle of your demonstration.
This volume indispensable
456:25
A Christian Scientist requires my work SCIENCE AND
HEALTH for his textbook, and so do all his students and
patients. Why? First: Because it is the voice
of Truth to this age, and contains the full
statement of Christian Science, or the Science of healing
through Mind. Second: Because it was the first book
known, containing a thorough statement of Christian
Science. Hence it gave the first rules for demonstrating
457:1
this Science, and registered the revealed Truth uncon-
taminated by human hypotheses. Other works, which
have borrowed from this book without giving it credit,
have adulterated the Science. Third: Because this book
has done more for teacher and student, for healer and
patient, than has been accomplished by other books.
Purity of science
457:7
Since the divine light of Christian Science first dawned
upon the author, she has never used this newly discovered
power in any direction which she fears to have
fairly understood. Her prime object, since
entering this field of labor, has been to prevent suffering,
not to produce it. That we cannot scientifically both
cure and cause disease is self-evident. In the legend of
the shield, which led to a quarrel between two knights
because each of them could see but one face of it, both
sides were beautiful according to their degree; but to
mental malpractice, prolific of evil, there is no good as-
pect, either silvern or golden.
Backsliders and mistakes
457:19
Christian Science is not an exception to the general
rule, that there is no excellence without labor in a direct
line. One cannot scatter his fire, and at the
same time hit the mark. To pursue other
vocations and advance rapidly in the demonstration of
this Science, is not possible. Departing from Christian
Science, some learners commend diet and hygiene.
They even practise these, intending thereby to initiate
the cure which they mean to complete with Mind, as if
the non-intelligent could aid Mind! The Scientist's
demonstration rests on one Principle, and there must
and can be no opposite rule. Let this Principle be ap-
plied to the cure of disease without exploiting other
means.
Mental charlatanism
458:1
Mental quackery rests on the same platform as all
other quackery. The chief plank in this platform is the
doctrine that Science has two principles in
partnership, one good and the other evil, –
one spiritual, the other material, – and that these two
may be simultaneously at work on the sick. This
theory is supposed to favor practice from both a mental
and a material standpoint. Another plank in the plat-
form is this, that error will finally have the same effect
as truth.
Divinity ever ready
458:11
It is anything but scientifically Christian to think of
aiding the divine Principle of healing or of trying to sus-
tain the human body until the divine Mind
is ready to take the case. Divinity is always
ready. Semper paratus is Truth's motto. Having seen
so much suffering from quackery, the author desires to
keep it out of Christian Science. The two-edged sword
of Truth must turn in every direction to guard "the tree
of life."
The panoply of wisdom
458:20
Sin makes deadly thrusts at the Christian Scientist as
ritualism and creed are summoned to give place to higher
law, but Science will ameliorate mortal malice.
The Christianly scientific man reflects the
divine law, thus becoming a law unto himself. He does
violence to no man. Neither is he a false accuser. The
Christian Scientist wisely shapes his course, and is hon-
est and consistent in following the leadings of divine
Mind. He must prove, through living as well as heal-
ing and teaching, that Christ's way is the only one
by which mortals are radically saved from sin and
sickness.
Advancement by sacrifice
458:32
Christianity causes men to turn naturally from matter
459:1
to Spirit, as the flower turns from darkness to light.
Man then appropriates those things which "eye hath
not seen nor ear heard." Paul and John
had a clear apprehension that, as mortal man
achieves no worldly honors except by sacrifice,
so he must gain heavenly riches by forsaking all worldli-
ness. Then he will have nothing in common with the
worldling's affections, motives, and aims. Judge not the
future advancement of Christian Science by the steps
already taken, lest you yourself be condemned for fail-
ing to take the first step.
Dangerous knowledge
459:12
Any attempt to heal mortals with erring mortal mind,
instead of resting on the omnipotence of the divine
Mind, must prove abortive. Committing the
bare process of mental healing to frail mor-
tals, untaught and unrestrained by Christian Science,
is like putting a sharp knife into the hands of a blind
man or a raging maniac, and turning him loose in
the crowded streets of a city. Whether animated by
malice or ignorance, a false practitioner will work mis-
chief, and ignorance is more harmful than wilful wicked-
ness, when the latter is distrusted and thwarted in its
incipiency.
Certainty of results
459:24
To mortal sense Christian Science seems abstract, but
the process is simple and the results are sure if the Science
is understood. The tree must be good, which
produces good fruit. Guided by divine Truth
and not guesswork, the theologus (that is, the student –
the Christian and scientific expounder – of the divine
law) treats disease with more certain results than any
other healer on the globe. The Christian Scientist should
understand and adhere strictly to the rules of divine meta-
460:1
physics as laid down in this work, and rest his demonstra-
tion on this sure basis.
Ontology defined
460:3
Ontology is defined as "the science of the necessary
constituents and relations of all beings," and it under-
lies all metaphysical practice. Our system of
Mind-healing rests on the apprehension of the
nature and essence of all being, – on the divine Mind
and Love's essential qualities. Its pharmacy is moral,
and its medicine is intellectual and spiritual, though used
for physical healing. Yet this most fundamental part of
metaphysics is the one most difficult to understand and
demonstrate, for to the material thought all is material,
till such thought is rectified by Spirit.
Mischievous imagination
460:14
Sickness is neither imaginary nor unreal, – that is,
to the frightened, false sense of the patient. Sickness
is more than fancy; it is solid conviction. It
is therefore to be dealt with through right ap-
prehension of the truth of being. If Christian healing
is abused by mere smatterers in Science, it becomes a
tedious mischief-maker. Instead of scientifically effect-
ing a cure, it starts a petty crossfire over every cripple
and invalid, buffeting them with the superficial and cold
assertion, "Nothing ails you."
Author's early instructions
460:24
When the Science of Mind was a fresh revelation to
the author, she had to impart, while teaching its grand
facts, the hue of spiritual ideas from her own
spiritual condition, and she had to do this orally
through the meagre channel afforded by language and by
her manuscript circulated among the students. As for-
mer beliefs were gradually expelled from her thought, the
teaching became clearer, until finally the shadow of old
errors was no longer cast upon divine Science.
Proof by induction
460:33
I do not maintain that anyone can exist in the flesh
without food and raiment; but I do believe that the
real man is immortal and that he lives in
Spirit, not matter. Christian Science must
be accepted at this period by induction. We admit the
whole, because a part is proved and that part illustrates
and proves the entire Principle. Christian Science can
be taught only by those who are morally advanced and
spiritually endowed, for it is not superficial, nor is it
discerned from the standpoint of the human senses.
Only by the illumination of the spiritual sense, can
the light of understanding be thrown upon this Science,
because Science reverses the evidence before the material
senses and furnishes the eternal interpretation of God and
man.
461:16
If you believe that you are sick, should you say, "I am
sick"? No, but you should tell your belief sometimes,
if this be requisite to protect others. If you commit a
crime, should you acknowledge to yourself that you are
a criminal? Yes. Your responses should differ because
of the different effects they produce. Usually to admit
that you are sick, renders your case less curable, while
to recognize your sin, aids in destroying it. Both sin and
sickness are error, and Truth is their remedy. The truth
regarding error is, that error is not true, hence it is unreal.
To prove scientifically the error or unreality of sin, you
must first see the claim of sin, and then destroy it.
Whereas, to prove scientifically the error or unreality of
disease, you must mentally unsee the disease; then you
will not feel it, and it is destroyed.
Rapidity of assimilation
461:31
Systematic teaching and the student's spiritual growth
and experience in practice are requisite for a thorough
462:1
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-
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
462:20
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-
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
463:5
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 –
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
463:32
It has been said to the author, "The world is bene-
464:1
fited by you, but it feels your influence without seeing
you. Why do you not make yourself more widely
known?" Could her friends know how little
time the author has had, in which to make
herself outwardly known except through her laborious
publications, – and how much time and toil are still re-
quired to establish the stately operations of Christian
Science, – they would understand why she is so secluded.
Others could not take her place, even if willing so to do.
She therefore remains unseen at her post, seeking no self‑
aggrandizement but praying, watching, and working for
the redemption of mankind.
464:13
If from an injury or from any cause, a Christian Scien-
tist were seized with pain so violent that he could not
treat himself mentally, – and the Scientists had failed
to relieve him, – the sufferer could call a surgeon, who
would give him a hypodermic injection, then, when the
belief of pain was lulled, he could handle his own case
mentally. Thus it is that we "prove all things; [and]
hold fast that which is good."
The right motive and its reward
464:21
In founding a pathological system of Christianity, the
author has labored to expound divine Principle, and not
to exalt personality. The weapons of bigotry,
ignorance, envy, fall before an honest heart.
Adulterating Christian Science, makes it void.
Falsity has no foundation. "The hireling fleeth, because
he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." Neither
dishonesty nor ignorance ever founded, nor can they over-
throw a scientific system of ethics.
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