Article February 1, 1913 Issue

TRUE HEALING

ELMA E. WILLIAMS.

On pages 230 and 231 of our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, there is an explanation of the cause and cure of disease which is concise, clear, and direct. But so deeply fixed seems the mortal belief that matter is both cause and cure, that not infrequently the Christian Science practitioner hears doubts expressed by those he is trying to help, as to whether the cause of their troubles is mental after all; and when an ill once met seems to return, this doubt sometimes assumes an aggressive aspect and leads the patient to indulge in complaint, or even to turn away, for the time being, from Christian Science.

Some months ago the writer was taken ill with what seemed a serious difficulty. The fear was great, and so intense was the pain that help was asked for from another practitioner. In endeavoring to remove the fear this practitioner said, "Do not be alarmed; it is fermentation in thought." Relief was quickly experienced, and after the second treatment the trouble was overcome. About a week later, on returning from Sunday evening service, the same physical disturbance reappeared in a much aggravated form. The first impulse was to call for help, but the practitioner's reference to "fermentation in thought" was recalled, and a search was made within for the mental cause. Instead of finding a sweet sense of love for and loyalty to good, there came to light a critical attitude of thought, unloving and unkind. As a result of this uncovering, the resolution was made to dig up and destroy this habit of criticism, then and there, if it took all night. In a very short time the victory was won; a sweet loving sense of God's allness was realized, and hatred was overcome. The illness, too, had entirely gone, and has never returned; neither indeed can it, for the cause was "obliterated through Christ in divine Science" (Science and Health, p. 231).

Some one may ask, "Why was not the healing done in the first instance when it disappeared?" The answer is, that it seemed necessary in this case for the wrong thought which was operating as cause to be seen before it could be cast out. This habit of scoffing at and criticizing others had been life-long, and even after membership in the Church of Christ, Scientist, was attained, self-righteousness had ofttimes reserved to itself the privilege of criticizing. Those with a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science know that many cases are healed in Christian Science without the specific cause of the trouble being known to either patient or practitioner. Without doubt instantaneous healing is the aim of every loyal practitioner, but for the healing to be not only instantaneous but permanent, that which seems to operate as cause must be removed; and if an uncovering of the wrong thought to the patient is necessary in order to accomplish this result, the healing will be more rapid if the patient joyfully welcomes the discovery, resolves to overcome the false belief, and rejoices in God. We then gladly agree with our revered Leader in saying that "Love is the liberator" (Science and Health, p. 225).

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