Article May 1, 1926 Issue

Our Work

JESSIE G. CALDWELL

In the healing work of Christian Science we need to go back often to the statement on page 275 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where Mrs. Eddy says, "To grasp the reality and order of being in its Science, you must begin by reckoning God as the divine Principle of all that really is." Now God, divine Principle, is the source and origin of all reality. Reasoning from this standpoint it is not hard for one to accept the unreality of any condition which is not good, since nothing but good proceeds from God, divine Principle. A mere acceptance of the statements of Truth is, however, not all that is required: Christian Scientists have a very definite work to perform.

A treatment eliminates the untrue and undesirable, and replaces them with the true. Often it requires a definite, continual, and earnest effort for belief or the acceptance of material evidence to be changed to the understanding of the reality of the divine law, power, and presence of Principle. In mathematics, if there is a problem to be solved, it is a fixed result that is to be obtained; just so in Christian Science, the necessity for healing comes because there is a definite error to be overcome; and a specific treatment is often required to accomplish it. General statements, at this stage of our understanding, are not always sufficient to bring about the desired result. Although true, they may lack the positive assurance necessary definitely to exclude the inharmony.

Healing in Christian Science is not realized through admission of error, toleration of it, or a lethargic mental attitude. It comes as the result of a conscious mental effort to keep thought filled with life-giving truths; and this is our part in establishing the reign of Truth. The results belong to God. Any problem or condition contrary to eternal harmony must finally disappear in the light of Truth. There is no law or belief of a law of materiality, with its suppositional effect, that can withstand the power of Truth when applied absolutely. There are instances of those whose thought has become so uplifted through the realization of the truth of the statements contained in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, that discord has disappeared with apparently no effort. More often to-day, however, a more specifically conscious mental effort to hold a spiritually affirmative position is required.

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