Article September 6, 1919 Issue

My attention is called to the report of a sermon in which...

Ernest C. Moses

Decatur (Ill.) Herald

My attention is called to the report of a sermon in which the speaker commented on physical and mental reconstruction. He said: "Most modern nervous diseases are the result of self-attention. Get the mind on something else and the symptoms disappear; this simple fact is the fundamental of Christian Science." We would not disagree with the clergyman's first proposition, and are grateful for the recognition of the fact of mental causation, which Christian Science teaches. I would request, however, that you permit me to make a correction of the gentleman's statement as to the fundamental basis of Christian Science. It is not the change of the human or mortal mind from thinking disease to thinking of some other phase of this mind, for that would be sheer will power, or self-mesmerism.

The basis for Christian Science is given in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," on pages 138 and 192, where, in referring to an experience in apostolic times, Mrs. Eddy states that "divine Life, Truth, and Love, and not a human personality, was the healer of the sick, and a rock, a firm foundation in the realm of harmony. ... The supremacy of Spirit was the foundation on which Jesus built;" and that "we walk in the footsteps of Truth and Love by following the example of our Master in the understanding of divine metaphysics. Christianity is the basis of true healing." From these authoritative statements by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, it is indeed clear that nothing in the human mind, either in its thinking through declaration or diversion, can form a basis for true Christian healing; but that the basis is the spiritual understanding of God on which Christ Jesus founded Christianity. The results of the practice of this Science of Christianity prove this to be true. We are in hearty accord with the statement wherein the clergyman says that "the loving trust in God and a life of selfforgetful service," constitute "moral reconstruction."

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