Article April 20, 1929 Issue

"Formulas Forbidden"

UBERT HAROLD SWETT

In the Manual of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, Mrs. Eddy writes under "Formulas Forbidden" (p. 43): "No member shall use written formulas, nor permit his patients or pupils to use them, as auxiliaries to teaching Christian Science or for healing the sick. Whatever is requisite for either is contained in the books of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Sometimes she may strengthen the faith by a written text as no one else can."

When the writer first became interested in Christian Science he, like many others, wanted to know some set rules for mental work as understood in Christian Science. He found himself cherishing and clinging to articles that appealed to him as being simple, and also to helpful thoughts given by friends. Unconsciously he was using some of these as formulas, when his attention was directed to the By-Law quoted above. He saw clearly that our Leader's desire in providing this By-Law was to turn us more whole-heartedly to the Bible and the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," wherein is found the recipe for all healing and teaching, and also that it is the spontaneity of right thinking, the reflection of divine Mind, which heals, not a mere group of words, however carefully they may have been formulated.

The master Christian never used a formula; rather do his teachings discourage the fallacy of the mere letter. Christ Jesus did, however, give us such invaluable aids as the Sermon on the Mount, wherein one finds clear and concise exposition of the truth which, when understandingly applied to any problem, whether of sin, sorrow, or sickness, heals permanently.

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