Article June 27, 1903 Issue

Faith in Understanding

KATE SWOPE.

In our first steps in Christian Science much seemed to depend on the miracle to keep us established in faith. We needed a sign, we wanted to see the footprints of our progress as evidence that we had advanced. We encountered many disappointments because it was effect we sought, rather than cause. We looked to phenomena to support our faith, instead of looking to our faith to produce phenomena. The mind action was not always correct. The Science of Mind is exact, so much so, that any deviation from its rule results in failure. As a man thinketh so is he, and as is his thought, so is his result. If he looks to phenomena to sustain his faith, instead of trusting in his faith to produce phenomena, the true order is reversed, and he is not working in Science. He is not governed by law; in his timidity he is looking to effect, not to cause, for manifestation. He thinks if he could but see some little result he could have more faith, whereas just the contrary is true; if he had more faith he could see some result.

"Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." The kingdom of God, Jesus taught, is within you, and by seeking the illuminated consciousness within we shall find dominion over all things.

I know a Christian Scientist who went to a Wednesday evening testimonial meeting the third day after she had most successfully proved for herself the power of Christian Science in obstetrics. Said a surprised friend, "Why, I can hardly believe my eyes to see you here," and the Scientist answered, "It should not be hard for you to believe it after it has happened; I believed it before it happened." That is the mind action which carries demonstration with it,—the believing before it happens. There is no failure in such a prayer. It conforms perfectly with Jesus' teachings: "whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive;" and again, "all things are possible to him that believeth." Jesus said, to one who approached him for healing, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?" We need often to face the Word of Truth, in the treatments we realize, and ask, Believe ye that Truth is able to do this? It is Truth,—believest thou that?

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