Article March 9, 1929 Issue

Scientific Recognition

MARTHA SUTTON THOMPSON

Jesus once said to his disciples, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Should not this statement be understood as an assurance that all things needful for our present welfare and redemption are already provided by God, and that recognition of and conformity to His law will bring them into manifestation?

Is not such interpretation confirmed by Jesus' own words and demonstration at the tomb of Lazarus? In response to an entreaty from the bereaved sisters, he had come for the purpose of raising Lazarus from the sense of death. It appears that he had appealed to God, the Father, that this wonderful thing might be done in proof that so-called death does not obliterate life, since Life is self-existent and self-sustained, and therefore eternal. It is obvious that his clear understanding and positive trust must have vanquished the false material arguments presented to mortal consciousness; but, as yet, there was no visible sign that his prayer was answered. Nevertheless, in recognition of the reciprocal activity of spiritual appeal and God's response, he exclaimed: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me." Then, confidently, and in a loud voice, he called, "Lazarus, come forth;" and immediately Lazarus obeyed, "bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face ... bound about with a napkin."

With what confidence should this demonstration of the supremacy of spiritual law over so-called material law inspire Jesus' followers who, to-day, are endeavoring to fulfill his prophecy, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." Such scientific recognition is referred to by Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 495) in the words: "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious—as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not." Let it be noted that "recognition" is the pivotal word in this passage. Accordingly, when mentally working to destroy disease or sin, the Christian Science practitioner is not trying to persuade God to heal or save; neither is he attempting to set His law in motion. On the contrary, he is recognizing the perpetual activity of perfect spiritual law to adjust, reform, and govern human consciousness; and his purpose is the uplifting of the patient's thought to true spiritual harmony, wherein he can declare, "I am healed."

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