Article January 23, 1904 Issue

Physician, Heal Thyself

WILLARD S. MATTOX.

The beginner in Christian Science has not been long at work, before he uncovers one of the small lies of mortal mind which is invented just to retard his growth and delay his final victory. It is such a very little falsehood, hidden away in the pile of rubbish which has been dignified by the name "myself," that very often he overlooks it until, like all overlooked lies, it grows large enough to demand some attention. It is much easier to dispose of this lie when it is first discovered than later on, but we need a keen vision and sound metaphysics to detect it. Though ever so little, it requires a whole sentence to state it. That is what it calls itself: "It is easier to heal others than to heal myself."

Away back in the days of Job, when suffering was just as real to the man made in the likeness of Adam as it is to-day to Adam's progeny, this insinuating libel on man's God-given right of self-government was uttered by one of Job's voluble advisers. The same evil which voiced itself through a person then, talks to us now, sometimes through persons, oftener by means of thoughts which we very unwisely call our thoughts. Said Eliphaz the Temanite to Job' 'Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have up-holden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled." This was about the most discouraging thing a sick man could be told: that he could do nothing to help himself. Such philosophy is atheistic, for it denies God's power to heal, turns him to persons for the aid needed, and presents an outlook altogether hopeless and depressing.

Jesus had to meet this pitiless lie: "He saved others; himself he cannot save." The diabolism which had pursued this Godlike man to the very finish, was capable of a last refinement of cruelty. It was the distilled essence of all that was evil which uttered itself in those words. At the very time when he most needed encouragement, the murderous carnal mind sought to prevent his proof of the continuity of existence by that taunting lie. It was calculated more than anything else to pierce the patient heart, to transform vigorous, assertive consciousness into weary apathy. The world glories in the victory won that day over the malicious and deadly suggestion of incapacity.

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