Article May 13, 1916 Issue

Truth the Healer

BESSIE L. BIGNALL

The clear understanding of the truth of being which in Christian Science effects the healing of mankind from sin and disease is impersonal. Reliance upon a finite personality, instead of God, divine Principle, is a subtle temptation which would hinder the progress of the student of Christian Science and retard healing. This fact was clearly seen by the writer at a time when a friend sought relief from severe physical distress. To this condition was added much fear, because the one upon whom she had been relying for treatment was absent from the city. Instantly came this thought, that the water to quench our thirst is drawn from the one reservoir,—we are "satisfied" by Truth and Love. The thought of the patient was then directed toward Him who, as the psalmist saith, "forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases," with the result that the erroneous condition was almost immediately overcome. The practitioner becomes the channel through which the quickening Spirit is imparted to the discordant consciousness, resulting in harmonious physical and mental conditions. On page 495 of Science and Health we read: "God will heal the sick through man, whenever man is governed by God."

Dependence upon finite personality to heal our diseases is just as much of an error as placing reliance upon any form of mortal belief,—drugs, hygiene, and the like,—and it is likely to create a tendency to stray from the straight and narrow path which leads to perfect, scientific demonstration. When the unreliability of material means to restore health or happiness has dawned upon one, and he reaches out for divine help, he is not seeking mere physical relief, but rather is he responding to the Christ, Truth, who is knocking at the portal of human consciousness. When he has reached his Father's house, where his hungry heart will be fed with the bread of Life, he will drink of the water of Life, feel himself enfolded within the great heart of Love, and know that all is well.

This wonderful experience will some time come to every one, and well is it if our own thought be so purified and purged of self-love and self-glorification that we shall not place one stumbling-block in the path of any, but turn their thought away from person to Principle. Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, pointed out this danger when she said (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 308): "Whosoever looks to me personally for his health or holiness, mistakes. He that by reason of human love or hatred or any other cause clings to my material personality, greatly errs, stops his own progress, and loses the path to health, happiness, and heaven."

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