Article September 11, 1920 Issue

Practice versus Theory

NATHANIEL J. BUSKIRK

Christian Scientists do well to bear always in mind the essential fact that the writings of our revered Leader are the immediate fruits of the practical application of her understanding of divine Principle in her life experience. She knew whereof she wrote, for the verity of her statements had been proved to her beyond all cavil. In relating her personal experience, in regard to her discovery of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy writes on page 109 of Science and Health, "I knew the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God, and that cures were produced in primitive Christian healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute conclusions through divine revelation, reason, and demonstration." It is especially noteworthy in connection with the foregoing statement, that Mrs. Eddy was not content to stop with a merely theoretical explanation of the healing recorded in the Scriptures, but she was impelled to seek the Science of it. So it is that each student of Christian Science must make the truth his or her own in life experience before thorough practice thereof can result.

For instance, we may utter the expression to the suffering invalid, "God is your Life;" yet if we do not have some approximate understanding of the meaning of this at the time we utter the words, they are indeed "vain repetitions." In discussing the tendency toward a superficial utterance of scientific truths, we read on page 460 of Science and Health: "If Christian healing is abused by mere smatterers in Science, it becomes a tedious mischief-maker. Instead of scientifically effecting a cure, it starts a petty crossfire over every cripple and invalid, buffeting them with the superficial and cold assertion, 'Nothing ails you.'" The more experienced student of Christian Science is learning the advisability of becoming more careful in his statements of Truth, especially when talking with the uninitiated on the subject, for ofttimes only antagonism is produced by unexplained statements of Truth, uttered with no regard for the mentality of the person addressed.

Certain it is that the more earnestly each student of Christian Science strives to have that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," the more he will find that his understanding and consequently his individual ability to help others in a metaphysical way is increasing. It is the still, small voice of Truth which heals and saves. The great need for all time is more for rightly reasoning students of Christian Science than merely talking students. It is well to be able to write and talk intelligently on the subject, but the acid test to be applied in all cases to ascertain the real Scientist is, How much of the truth are we able to bring out in our experience by the healing of all untoward conditions? The passing of this test is the only efficient proof which may be given as to whether we are practical Scientists, for a Christian Scientist may be properly defined as a person who knows God, who knows, and does not merely believe.

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