Article September 11, 1954 Issue

UNDIVIDED FAITH

ELLA H. HAY

In a section of "Miscellaneous Writings" by Mary Baker Eddy appears this question: "Are both prayer and drugs necessary to heal?" A correct answer is important to the welfare of mankind. Replying to this question, Mrs. Eddy states (pp. 51, 52): "The apostle James said, 'Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.' This text may refer to such as seek the material to aid the spiritual, and take drugs to support God's power to heal them. It is difficult to say how much one can do for himself, whose faith is divided between catnip and Christ; but not so difficult to know that if he were to serve one master, he could do vastly more. Whosoever understands the power of Spirit, has no doubt of God's power,— even the might of Truth,—to heal, through divine Science, beyond all human means and methods."

To look to both drugs and God for healing is evidence of a lack of understanding of the true nature of God and of man as His reflection. Drugs are material. God is Spirit, and man is spiritual. In the Scriptures we read (II Cor. 6: 14-16): "What communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? ... And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God."

It is a mistake to believe that both prayer and drugs are necessary to heal or that these opposites can work together in restoring the sick. Healing lies in recognizing the unreality of matter and the allness of infinite Spirit. God is All. His allness precludes the possibility of matter existing as reality or entity. Matter is an error of belief, a statement of ignorance, a lack of understanding of God, who fills all space, and of His spiritual creation. God is divine Principle. One would not expect to find the correct answer to mathematical problems if he used an incorrect multiplication table in the solution.

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