Chapter XIII - Teaching Christian Science
Three classes of neophytes
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There is a large class of thinkers whose bigotry and
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
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Some people yield slowly to the touch of Truth. Few
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
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Who, that has felt the perilous beliefs in life, substance,
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
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that these are the errors which Truth must and will an-
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
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Students of Christian Science, who start with its letter
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
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Every Christian Scientist, every conscientious teacher
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
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Show your student that mental malpractice tends to
Show your student that mental malpractice tends to
blast moral sense, health, and the human life. Instruct