Article October 20, 1928 Issue

Christianly Scientific Practice

LOYD P. LINDSEY

In carefully considering Christian Science treatment and comparing it with the manner in which Jesus overcame all forms of evil and disease, we find that our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has discovered and revealed, for the practical use of every earnest seeker, the same Christly methods as were used by the Master. Is it not, then, of great importance that every sincere follower of Christ Jesus in the present time should gain a clearer understanding of how to do more of the works which he promised would follow them that believe, understand his teachings?

Throughout all his ministry Jesus showed plainly that it is necessary for each student to gain an understanding of the fundamental truths that are available to us for instant and practical application to each and every problem. We see that he had a clear knowledge of the truths revealed by the inspired words of the prophets before him; and in the fourth chapter of Matthew is shown the process of right thinking which he used in his overcoming of the temptations which came to him early in his earthly career, acquainting us with the way he refuted and destroyed each erroneous suggestion. When he was tempted to satisfy material hunger by turning stones into bread, the spiritual fact declared by Moses, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," was at hand to dismiss the evil suggestion. When tempted to make a display before men of the protecting power of God, by casting himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, he employed the Scriptural command, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." In like manner did he destroy the temptation to bow down to materiality and worldly gain, with the further Scriptural command, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews makes it quite evident that the devil—evil—presents itself to us in the same way that it did to Jesus; for we read that he "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." It is the earnest desire of each student of Christian Science to be so equipped with a working knowledge of the truth that he may be able to destroy every form of error that presents itself. The question may arise, How can I overcome the error that seems so real, and so much in evidence? If we watch a gardener, we see that when he is unable readily to pull up the persistent weeds, he provides himself with the necessary tools that he may eradicate every one of them. In like manner, the student of Christian Science must provide himself with the specific truth that will uproot and destroy each specific form of evil, whether it be sin, disease, or the undesirable human traits of character which try so persistently to cling to thought. Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 418): "Whatever the belief is, if arguments are used to destroy it, the belief must be repudiated, and the negation must extend to the supposed disease and to whatever decides its type and symptoms. Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality;" and then she adds, "By the truthful arguments you employ, and especially by the spirit of Truth and Love which you entertain, you will heal the sick."

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