Article October 30, 1920 Issue

Proving the Power of Truth

B. M. PARMENTER

At one time the writer was assisting in the defense of a Christian Scientist charged with manslaughter because no physician had been called in the case of the sickness of a child and Christian Science alone was relied upon. It was in a community that, at that time, knew but little about Christian Science, and an extremely hostile and antagonistic public sentiment had been aroused. The court room was large and filled with local people, nearly all of whom were very much opposed to what they thought Christian Science to be, and believed that stern punishment should be meted out to the Christian Scientist being prosecuted. Public sentiment was at white heat. Those interested in the cause of the defense had requested Christian Science churches from various towns to send one or more Christian Scientists to be present at the trial. The result was that there were a number of Christian Science practitioners present. During the latter part of the second day of the trial, a very pronounced feeling of unrest, a spirit of antagonism to Christian Science, and aggressive impatience with the proceedings was manifested. Up to this time the trial had proceeded with comparative quiet and very little manifestation of disrespect. Very suddenly the writer was impressed forcibly with the change of thought in those present. Only a few moments elapsed, however, before the ever presence and power of divine Truth and Love were realized. Anger was hushed, impatience stilled, hate destroyed, and from then on there were no storms of passion, no beating waves of revenge. Ultimately, without strife or struggle on behalf of the Christian Scientists, the case was dismissed.

This experience demonstrated to one comparatively young then in Christian Science, that whatever discordant condition may arise, Christian Science furnishes an antidote for that condition, and a remedy that quiets every fear and smooths every rough place. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 276) Mrs. Eddy says, "The realization that all inharmony is unreal brings objects and thoughts into human view in their true light, and presents them as beautiful and immortal." To bring about these happy results, the silent, mental work is an efficient remedy. It requires no manipulation and must be done without fear and with no doubt what the results will be. It removes the anxious thought, destroys the "noisome pestilence," removes the "load of care." Then "ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness." But in order to accomplish these results the perfect image, the knowing that there is but one power, and that good, and that we must yield all to perfect Truth and boundless Love must always be kept in thought. It is only by keeping up the standard, whether in mathematics or in Christian Science, that we get right results. We must know and apply the correct rule. Just the moment that we see, hold, or acknowledge as consciousness any distorted, discordant, or imperfect thought or condition, then there is destruction of harmony and we are in error's chains. So long as that condition of thought prevails, we are blind to the truth, shorn of spiritual strength, worshiping other gods, and we thereby bind ourselves helpless at the pool, the vision of Truth; the recognition of Love and perfection is gone, the standard has been lowered and is trailing in the dust of carnal mind.

When we fashion in thought the perfect image and recognize nothing but Truth and God's omnipotent and unerring government, wherein there is no discord, we have reversed our mental action, regained out vision of things divine; harmony is seen where discord seemed to be and beauty blossoms "where blight and mildew rested;" then we have ceased pulling down the temple and have been lifted by Christ, Truth, into the beautiful realm of peace, Truth, and Love.

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