Editorial August 14, 1909 Issue

HEALTH LAWS

Annie M. Knott

It is quite customary for parents to impress upon their children at an early period the importance of observing health laws, and there is nothing wrong about this if a correct sense of what constitutes these laws is entertained. Unfortunately, results go to show that in too many instances certain human opinions pass current as health laws which are instead disease laws; as, for instance, when a child is taught to fear cold, damp, contagion, some kinds of food, etc. The effect of these theories is very often an ever-increasing bondage to the body, until the sufferer finds deliverance through Christian Science and comes to understand that these so-called laws have no divine authority, and that obedience to the real health laws gives freedom, not bondage. There is a wide difference between the "Thou shalt nots" which relate to the moral and spiritual, and those restricted to the plane of material belief.

There are of course real health laws with which children and adults alike should be familiar, and these should be reverently studied and rigidly obeyed. First of these is that great fundamental law: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." A sincere effort to understand and obey this law reveals the spiritual fact that "power belongeth unto God" alone; hence, that evil is powerless to make any one either sick or sinful. The psalmist says to those who desire long life, that they "may see good": "Keep thy tongue from evil, ... Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it,"—an excellent health law surely, and one which Peter quoted long years after it was written. Here is another, given by Isaiah! The prophet describes graphically the one who is secure amidst the tumults of mortal sense, saying that it is he who "stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." The whole passage is exquisite in its strength and beauty, and as a health law it has profound significance.

Mortals have too long heedlessly taken in poisons through the eyes and ears, quite regardless of the many warnings given in the Scriptures, especially the Master's words: "Take heed what ye hear." The ministry of Christian Science, as inaugurated by our revered Leader, is indeed "merciful and faithful," to quote from Hebrews. On every page of her extensive writings she shows how health may be gained and retained by the spiritualization of thought, and these teachings appeal to child and adult alike when the spiritual sense is awakened. We learn that truth is the most efficacious remedy for sin, sorrow, and suffering, and Jesus' words, "Be not afraid," are ever before thought. We cease to fear evil in the ratio that we realize the omnipresence and omnipotence of divine Love.

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