Article September 2, 1922 Issue

Jesus taught unmistakably the vital importance of our...

Samuel J. Macdonald, Committee on Publication for the State of New Jersey,

Jersey Journal

Jesus taught unmistakably the vital importance of our making right declarations when he said, "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Our declarations are, therefore, of much greater importance than is generally understood. For example, a man who declares that he is "unlucky" is invariably meeting with loss or injury of some sort. Likewise, one who falls into the bad habit of self-depreciation, believing this to be proper modesty, is never successful or popular. In similar fashion, one who declares that he has "a cold in the head," as spoken of by the critic, is admitting its power over him and is thereby yielding to all its discomforting effects. But if, on the contrary, when the first symptoms of a cold, or any other disorder, appear, one intelligently denies their reality, presence, and power, and resists earnestly their mesmeric influence and effects, he may thus avoid their annoyances and discomforts. Assuredly, this is proving in practical fashion that it is "error" to submit tamely and supinely to symptoms of physical disorder and unwisely affirm that we are sick.

Christian Scientists are taught to watch their words as well as their thought and deeds, and they are daily demonstrating the wisdom of this circumspection. They are learning and proving in daily experience that Jesus' loving admonition is practical as well as true here and now; and they are reaping an ever ripe harvest of blessings by heeding the Master's gentle warning. Mrs. Eddy also emphasizes the vital importance of right declarations. She writes on page 391 of Science and Health: "When the body is supposed to say, 'I am sick,' never plead quilty. Since matter cannot talk, it must be mortal mind which speaks; therefore meet the intimation with a protest. If you say, 'I am sick,' you plead guilty." And on page 392 she tells us, "The physical affirmation of disease should always be met with the mental negation." These are not merely speculative or theretical statements. They are being proved by Christian Scientists to be practical and effective every day of the week; for Christian Science is a religion "not too bright or good for human nature's daily food." Any sincere inquirer may put these statements to the test; and Christian Science welcomes the test proposed by Christ Jesus himself as recorded in the seventh chapter of Matthew and summed up in the twentieth verse, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

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