Article November 26, 1932 Issue

Demonstration

HELEN WOOD BAUMAN

THE purpose of a Christian Science treatment, or prayer, is to awaken one to utilize spiritual sense, whereby he may perceive spiritual truth. It is successful in the proportion that this purpose is accomplished. Elisha gave to his servant, who was fearful of the presence of an enemy host, a scientifically spiritual treatment when he prayed to the Lord to "open his eyes." His treatment was successful, for we read that "the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." When God opens our eyes, or spiritual perception, by means of Christian Science treatment, we find ourselves provided with the protecting purity and power of His spiritual ideas. This is scientific demonstration.

A demonstration in Christian Science practice is made from the basis of the spiritual fact concerning any given situation. The exercise of spiritual sense destroys material beliefs and establishes the government of divine law in human affairs. Because God's laws are spiritual, they operate only for righteous purposes, and can be utilized only for such.

There can be no confusion about the term "to demonstrate" when we realize that it means "to prove." We cannot "prove" a new house, fine clothing, or health in matter; but we can "prove" divine Principle and law. Hence demonstration should always be considered in terms of Truth or law, rather than in terms of purely personal benefit. If this statement seems cold and unappealing to those who are accustomed to think of God in terms of human affection and kindness, they need to remember that divine law is based on Love, and operates lovingly. When Christ Jesus fed the multitudes, he was not primarily demonstrating a large amount of material food. He was proving the presence and availability of God's law of supply, which furnishes man with an abundance of every needful thing. Christ Jesus interpreted this law in terms that could be humanly understood.

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