Article February 28, 1920 Issue

"Be ye transformed"

FRANK PARK GILMORE

Through healing all manner of so-called incurable conditions of mankind, Christian Science has established itself as the religion taught and practiced by Christ Jesus nineteen hundred years ago; but in spite of this, one may sometimes hear remarks intended to discredit it, or make it appear ridiculous. The writer recently overheard the following remark, made to one who was complaining of some physical ailment: "You should try a little Christian Science for that. When Christian Scientists are sick, all they do is change their mind, and they are well." It is doubtful if the speaker had the slightest idea of the truth of his statement, or of his faulty understanding of it. His idea was to ridicule Christian Science, but he had unconsciously enunciated a truth; for it is a well-known fact that when one takes up the study of Christian Science, he immediately begins to change his mind. Exchanging that mind which is carnal, or mortal, with its beliefs of death and discord, for that spiritual-mind-edness which is life and peace, he begins to unlearn that which he has, perhaps, spent many years trying to learn.

Under this spiritual system of changing his mind, he improves not only spiritually and morally but physically as well. It is apparent that this result should follow, when we consider Paul's admonition: "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind;" and in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 28) Mrs. Eddy writes, "I had learned that Mind reconstructed the body, and that nothing else could." It is plain that entering upon the study of Christian Science, we must change our minds. Church members all accept the tenet which says, "We solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure" (Science and Health, p. 497). This process of changing one's mind is the journey out of materiality, so often mentioned among Christian Scientists, and typified by the forty years' weary wandering of the children of Israel in the wilderness, where one obstacle after another had to be overcome before they could enter the promised land of peace and plenty. So it is with all mortality. The claims of the flesh must be met and overcome before we can enter the kingdom of heaven,—that state where all is harmony, where nothing can enter "that defileth . . . or maketh a lie;" where man no longer claims to have a mind of his own; but reflects the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Mind, God.

Christian Science does not always deliver us immediately from our doubts and fears, from our sicknesses, our sins, and our sorrows. Every step must be demonstrated. We must prove our understanding as we go, and according to the receptivity of our thought and our conscientious effort to put into practice what we learn, will our journey be rapid or slow. Through the reading of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," that inspired book given to the world by our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, the writer was started along this journey which he has now been traveling about ten years. He has met many lions in the path, and his progress has, seemingly, been slow; but with it all he has never ceased to be grateful, and he rejoices to-day in the knowledge that some progress has been made; that he is gaining in understanding daily, and in the assurance given in the words of the Master, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

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