Article October 28, 1911 Issue

CHEMICALIZATION

GEORGE H. KINTER

Chemicalization is a term which was coined in the notable word-laboratory of our revered Leader, and it is well calculated to express an idea for which she found nothing serviceable in the lexicons. Rightly applied, it is a valued addition to one's vocabulary in Christian Science, though an incorrect use of it may do some harm, temporarily. It may be helpful, therefore, to point out a certain misuse of the word, by reason of which a slight misconception of Mrs. Eddy's teaching is to some extent, though by no means generally, prevalent among Christian Scientists.

Students have been known to fear "a chemicalization" and to speak of it somewhat lightly, describing undesired conditions as "a chemical." The exact language of our text-book on the subject under consideration is emphatic and explicit; there is no room for conjecture, for a but, if, or perhaps. The Discoverer of Christian Science, who has demonstrated its propositions, says that "mental chemicalization follows the explanation of Truth, and a higher basis is thus won" (Science and Health, p. 453). Then we should not shrink from, but welcome this mental disturbance, for it surely betokens good results in the near future. This is seen in another statement by Mrs. Eddy, to wit, "The effect of this Science is to stir the human mind to a change of base" (Science and Health, p. 162).

Let us, therefore, no longer, with apprehensive look and mien, attribute to chemicalization every trouble that arises, nor flippantly denominate as such each unpleasantness that may present itself, lest one of the most forceful of our newfound words be shorn of its power through a mistaken sense of its meaning on the part of the uninitiated.

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