Physical Sense Testimony False

HARVEY B. MYER

While the individual who is becoming interested in Christian Science may think that he has always had a feeling of reverence for God and, perhaps, a slight understanding of Him, as progress is made in Christian Science he may realize that his reverence was largely emotional and his understanding theoretical. But as spiritual insight is gained, he catches clearer glimpses of a new existence, an existence in which corporeality disappears; and to his awakening thought there comes an altogether new and unexpected vision of God as Life, Truth, and Love, entirely dissociated from any thought of time or space.

Such knowledge is altogether independent of that which seems to come through the channel of the physical senses; and when sought after and understood, it destroys physical sense testimony. A mental conflict thus begins, because the human so-called mind does not take kindly to that which eventually proves not only its unreliability but also its unreality. "This thought of human, material nothingness, which Science inculcates, enrages the carnal mind and is the main cause of the carnal mind's antagonism." So says Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 345). Hence the flood of evil suggestions that is continually pouring forth from error in its effort to nullify spiritual understanding. At this point, confusion and hesitancy may find expression in the thought of the student of Christian Science; but he should be alert to defend himself against physical sense testimony, by which he seems to be constantly surrounded, and in which he seems to have his very existence.

In the light of Christian Science the five physical senses do not give the correct understanding of being; and their testimony, unsupported by spiritual understanding, is to be rejected. The materialist becomes alarmed at this, and at once enters a violent protest. He points to vast systems of learning that have been built up on the testimony of the physical senses; and he does not welcome the sweeping away of their foundations. Really, however, the physical sciences have reached their present state mainly by correcting the evidence of the five physical senses. To illustrate: in demonstrating a geometrical proposition which has to do with a figure,—say, a triangle,—it is customary to draw upon a surface the figure itself. Often this may be hastily done, the figure being more or less imperfect. This, however, in no way disconcerts the one making the demonstration; and it is accordingly carried forward through the proper steps of reasoning to the conclusion. While the demonstrator works from the imperfect figure that is before him, and may look directly at it, yet he is not referring to its imperfections, his thought being filled with the concept of the perfect triangle. The demonstration is made from that basis. The imperfect figure could not be taken as the basis, as one must behold the perfect triangle if the correct mathematical demonstration is to be made.

If the material senses cannot be relied upon in arriving at the exactness of mathematical facts, then certainly their testimony is no more trustworthy in relation to the truth that is spiritual. The illustration given above, however, is not ideal, in that a certain similarity does exist between the perfect idea and the imperfect figure of a triangle.

Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, pp. 476, 477): "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." Hence, demonstrations in Christian Science are not made by allowing thought to dwell upon the discordant condition to be healed, but by adhering strictly to the perfection of the spiritual idea. No such relationship or similarity exists between the "perfect man," whom Jesus saw, and "sinning mortal man," who appears to mortals. The "perfect man" is idea, including all the lesser spiritual ideas. "Idea," "image," and "likeness" are but different names for that which divine Mind is conscious of. Man, therefore, reflects the consciousness of God; and this consciousness is spiritual. Physical sense testimony, human concepts, all human reasoning must, as Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 209), "give place to the spiritual fact by the translation of man and the universe back into Spirit. In proportion as this is done, man and the universe will be found harmonious and eternal."

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