Article January 23, 1926 Issue

In a news item from Cincinnati, appearing in your paper,...

Lester B. McCoun,—Omaha

Bee

In a news item from Cincinnati, appearing in your paper, the statement is made that Jewish rabbis have become "cognizant of the power of mental suggestion to heal some cases of illness." The remainder of the report deals with the acceptance of Christian Science by many Hebrews, and it is evident that either the news reporter or some of the Jewish rabbis have not made the proper distinction between Christian Science and mental suggestion. To correct any misunderstanding, I wish to say that mental suggestion is but the exercise of the so-called human will. It is based on the belief that there are minds many, dwelling temporarily within human bodies, and that one of these supposed minds can exercise an influence over another mind, for good or for evil.

This suggestive influence is supposed to be exercised audibly or silently. The theory betrays ignorance of divine intelligence and power; and all attempts to benefit the sick by such means end disastrously for those who so practice and for those yielding to such influence. On the other hand, Christian Science Mind-healing is accomplished through the understanding that there is but one Mind, or power, and that this power is the creator of all that really exists, all of which is good. When one has obtained a degree of true understanding of God, or divine Mind, and is manifesting this truth in his thoughts and life, he can heal the sick by spiritually realizing the truth about God and man in His image and likeness. In other words, the Christian Science healer, through his spiritually purified thought and life, is able to reflect the Mind which is the only real Mind, but of which the patient has not been conscious previously. The awakening casts out disease.

In the later part of the seventh chapter of Romans, Paul describes his struggle in overcoming the so-called human mind, or flesh, through divine Mind, and elsewhere states, "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Of the great religious leaders, Mary Baker Eddy is the one who thoroughly disclosed the operations of any mental influence save that which Christian Science describes as divine Mind, or God. She did not fail to show how evil influence can be destroyed, and how with it go sin and disease in every form. Her discovery in behalf of humanity is entitled to be correctly presented, and I am grateful for this opportunity to point out the difference between Christian Science Mind-healing and that which is commonly called mental suggestion, or hypnotism.