Editorial December 17, 1927 Issue

What Determines Health?

Duncan Sinclair

THERE are few questions of greater importance to mankind than that of health, so much being dependent upon it. And because of its importance, perhaps more thought is bestowed on preserving it and regaining it than upon any other human interest. Not only do vast numbers of earnest people study it in order that they may help others to recover it, but also that it may be preserved to those who may be in the enjoyment of a measure of it.

Now health has too largely been considered from the material standpoint. Men have regarded themselves as living in a material body, and have believed that that body is subject to all sorts of material conditions and laws entirely, or almost entirely, beyond their control; and, so believing, they have allowed themselves to agree to the fallacy that health is largely, if not altogether, dependent upon material conditions. It is only comparatively recently that some of those engaged in ministering to the sick have come to recognize that something other than matter, so called, is an important factor in the question of health, namely, the mentality of people, the quality of their thought.

For over sixty years Christian Science has been insisting that disease is the result of erroneous thinking, and that its cure can be brought about by right thinking. Indeed, Christian Science goes so far as to say that thinking from a purely spiritual basis is able to control and adjust every material condition detrimental to health. This may be illustrated by the case of someone who has indulged in sin over a more or less prolonged period. How often the result of such indulgence shows itself in a weak an sickly body! Does such a one not see the necessity of breaking with the sinful practice and thinking right thoughts, in order to be saved from the effects of further evil indulgence? And does not this point to the fact that evil thinking produces ill health, and that right thinking will restore it?

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