"AN UNDERLYING UNDERSTANDING"

BESSIE L. CARN

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and her other writings, Mary Baker Eddy gives definite rules to be followed in practicing the Science of Mind-healing. One such rule in Science and Health reads thus (pp. 417, 418): "Explain audibly to your patients, as soon as they can bear it, the complete control which Mind holds over the body. Show them how mortal mind seems to induce disease by certain fears and false conclusions, and how divine Mind can cure by opposite thoughts. Give your patients an underlying understanding to support them and to shield them from the baneful effects of their own conclusions."

It is significant that Mrs. Eddy says this audible explanation is to be given to patients "as soon as they can bear it." Therefore, the Christian Science practitioner must be spiritually alert in order to recognize just when to obey these wise instructions in each and every case. To attempt to explain the basic truths of Christian Science audibly to one seemingly too ill to understand their spiritual import not only would be incongruous but would be likely to prove futile in the attempt to restore harmony. Christian Scientists may relate instance after instance in which both so-called functional and organic diseases have been quickly healed when the spiritual rule, "Give your patients an underlying understanding," has been rightly applied.

An illustration exemplifying this statement may prove helpful. A few years ago a man turned to a Christian Science practitioner for help in overcoming a physical difficulty that was supposedly the result of hip disease which he had had as a boy. At this time he was never free from pain and was unable to stand erect, being obliged to walk in a bent-over manner which made it impossible for him to obtain employment. This man knew nothing of the fundamental truths of Christian Science. However, through a friend who occasionally helped the Christian Scientist with household tasks, he had learned of Truth's healing power. Thus when he came to the student's home he was as "a little child," humble, eager to listen, and ready to understand.

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