Article July 26, 1930 Issue

Cleansing and Purifying Thought

ELIZABETH G. MC KINSTRY

DOUBTLESS every individual has at times an instinctive desire to freshen his surroundings, and to take inventory of materials on hand in order that he may discard the useless and replenish the useful. As students of Christian Science we come to see how essential it is to our well-being that we carry similar action into the mental realm.

It is helpful to recall many instances throughout the Bible in which cleansing, washing, or purifying—symbolizing mental purification—is set forth as a necessary procedure in the accomplishment of healings of various kinds. When Naaman, the captain of the host of the king of Syria, sought healing, we are told that Elisha sent a messenger to him saying, "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean." When Jesus healed the man who had been born blind, he commanded him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam." And, again, when a leper followed him and besought him for healing, Jesus' tender and compassionate response was, "I will; be thou clean." How often, like Naaman of old, do we expect to be called to do some great thing in order to realize a much desired healing, when simply purifying thought, casting out unreal beliefs, is the essential thing! We find also in the incidents mentioned that obedience to both the spirit and the letter of the commands resulted in instantaneous healings.

Once when a student of Christian Science began to freshen up her surroundings and to take inventory of the materials on hand, a very helpful lesson was learned from an old inkwell which, because of its condition, had been relegated to a dark corner of her desk. As it was brought out, the first impulse was to throw it away, since it was not being used; but the wasteful thought was replaced with the better desire to clean the inkwell and allow it to serve its intended purpose. It was incrusted with ink both inside and out, and looked difficult to clean; but as it was placed under a stream of clear warm water, the incrustations began to break away, and the water, which at first had appeared inky black, began to clear, and soon the inkwell shone forth in crystal clearness! It was then refilled and placed on the desk to serve a useful purpose.

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