Editorial December 9, 1905 Issue

The Discipline of Christian Science

Annie M. Knott

A very singular objection to Christian Science has recently been voiced by a popular preacher, and discussed by the press. It is to the effect that this Science does away with mental and physical suffering to a considerable extent, and that mankind is in consequence deprived of a needful discipline. This is a peculiarly short-sighted criticism, since it fails to note the fact that people in general endeavor by every means within their reach to evade this supposed discipline. Those who have not studied this Science or been healed by it have very incorrect ideas as to its mode of operation. Some suppose that a quiescent state is induced, in which the patient comes to submit to conditions against which he formerly rebelled; but this is the very opposite of the fact. It is true that many weary sufferers find a new and wonderful sense of resting in God, but at the same time they are aware that a hitherto unknown power is at work, for the torpid and obstructed condition of the organs and functions of the body gives place to an activity and harmony resembling that of a spring day when the trees put forth bud and blossom. Then they learn that this changed condition has come because the human thought has been liberated and is responding to the divine power which, St. Paul said, "worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure."

This is the first stage of the healing work in Christian Science, but in a very short time the demand "Work out your own salvation" must be obeyed, and then comes the awakening of mental faculties hitherto unknown. A mother's experience may help to illustrate this. One night her youngest child manifested all the distressing symptoms of a severe attack of croup. Some months before, he had been dangerously ill with this ailment, and had been attended by a physician for two weeks — a period of great distress to mother and child, which was followed by a slow recovery. In the mean time Christian Science had come to the home, and the mother's drawing understanding of God and His law were now to be tested. There was a great longing for human aid, for the help of some one more advanced, but this help could not be secured; there was only God to call upon, and the danger seemed imminent, but what a rousing of all the faculties this situation brought! For two or three hours the struggle lasted; the false testimony which denied the omnipotence and omnipresence of God was resolutely and ceaselessly denied, with the result that the child was then entirely freed from every symptom of this dreaded disease. The vital part of the demonstration was, however, in the revelation of what wonders may be accomplished when the human mind is quickened — not put to sleep — by the influence of the divine Mind, as revealed in Christian Science.

The whole subject hinges upon the question whether it is suffering which causes humanity to advance, or the efforts put forth to overcome the suffering. Take the sense of sorrow: some sink under it, are wretched themselves and make those around them miserable because grief has come to them, while others rise to the occasion, and grow stronger and sweeter because of the demand to overcome personal considerations. This surely proves that the suffering was not the redeeming power, but that which made the overcoming possible. Those who have wrestled in Christian Science with the beliefs of sin, sorrow, and pain, can testify that never before was such mental and spiritual effort called forth as in seeking the victory through Truth alone, unaided by material means. They know that only by divine aid can a real decisive victory be gained, and like Paul they take heart and say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

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