Article March 25, 1916 Issue

Making a Demonstration

DORA E. UPTON

The question, "What do you Christian Scientists mean by 'making a demonstration'?" has often been put to the writer by those inquiring into the teachings of Christian Science. So many inquirers think that the making of a demonstration is narrowed down to the mere overcoming of some physical trouble or inharmonious condition. This from their point of view is a comparatively small thing, which might have taken place without the aid of Christian Science. They therefore wonder at the joy the Christian Scientist displays when he has made a so-called "demonstration."

Here it may be said that a demonstration in Christian Science has a far wider and more spiritual meaning than this outlined view of it. To illustrate: Suppose a boy at school is desirous of progressing in mathematics. He has gained the knowledge of a rule for working out a certain problem. The boy does not waste his time rejoicing over that one problem which he has mastered; his joy lies in the proof which it gives him that he has gained a knowledge of the mathematical law by which all similar problems can be solved. In like manner the Christian Scientist, having overcome some discordant condition, does not stop to rejoice in that fact alone, although all are naturally glad and thankful to be rid of inharmonious conditions; but his happiness and joy lie in the fact that he has gained a demonstrable knowledge of the divine Principle of life, a practical, provable knowledge which he is able to apply successfully to the problems of each day.

Again, inquirers often think that the Scientist's sense of life is limited, and goes no farther than the making of the same sort of demonstrations. Let us once more revert to the boy at school. When he has become more advanced in mathematics he is not given sums in simple addition; the understanding of how to do these is so complete that there is no need for him to give a concrete expression of his knowledge. In Christian Science, as in mathematics, the demonstration and the power to demonstrate lie in an understanding of unvarying law, and cannot be narrowed down to any specific expression of that law. Bearing on this point Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (p. 496): "We all must learn that Life is God. Ask yourself: . . . Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love? If so, then the way will grow brighter 'unto the perfect day.' . . . Hold perpetually this thought,—that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being."

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