Article August 16, 1913 Issue

DEMONSTRATION

KATE TREVER RONEY.

Being exact, Christian Science can tolerate no carelessness, either in the statement of its Principle or in the use of terms. Demonstration is a term which is used very frequently, and often carelessly, by Christian Scientists, and in studying just what it means in Christian Science, the writer is often reminded of experiences connected with her early work as a teacher of mathematics. Before entering upon her duties she heard many references to two exceedingly bright boys who had worked nearly through the arithmetic the preceding year. No one spoke of their mathematical understanding, however, or knew of their ability to apply it, other than that they had worked all of the problems. It was not surprising, therefore, when the first recitation revealed the fact that although answers had been secured throughout the text-book, upon testing the boys as to their mathematical understanding of the fundamentals involved in the problems, the simplest rules could not be applied. Their erratic work had secured the desired results, for figures had been made to fit, though not one answer had been obtained scientifically.

It was not until this method was discarded for a time and blackboard work undertaken, not until they learned to work from a basic law, that they had any concept of what demonstration means in mathematics, and so appreciated its significance. They also learned that the securing of answers is not the object, but a necessary result of the correct application of mathematical laws. One meaning of the term "to demonstrate" is, "to prove with certainty." It implies, then, something already existing but not yet realized by the student, who must proceed to work as though knowing its existence; he must have no other basis for thought in order to demonstrate the truth of any statement.

What are Christian Scientists called upon to "prove with certainty" in order to make a demonstration? In the "scientific statement of being" (Science and Health, p. 468) we find this wonderful sentence: "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all." This statement we accept as true, and we are called upon to prove it. The Scripture statement that God is Love is also accepted, and as a result we must allow that everything not having its origin in God, divine Love, is illusion, possessing no power, law, substance, or reality, and so all human discord—sin, disease, and death—is merely an experience of human belief, the result of conclusions from a false premise, the basis of thought being a lie about God and man. Christian Science has come to teach us that God and His infinite manifestation are all; and further, that God is good, too pure to know evil. This being true, all is the expression of good, and the human concept, with its sin, sickness, and death, is not the truth of being at all, but the outcome of a false belief about man's origin and nature; hence salvation is realized in knowing the truth. Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." God is Mind, then His kingdom, heaven, is a mental kingdom, and the gaining of this kingdom is the condition under which Jesus said the truth would make us free.

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DEMONSTRATION

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