Article July 11, 1931 Issue

"When properly applied"

SYLVIA F. METCALF

Very often in our written and oral testimonies the statement is made, "Christian Science has never failed to meet my every need when properly applied." The last phrase of this sentence constitutes a very important qualification, and its implications may not always receive the attention they deserve.

On pages 352 and 353 of "Miscellaneous Writings" our Leader recommends, in regard to the healing of sickness, that "consciousness be allowed to rejoice in the sense that it has nothing to mourn over, but something to forget." This gives us a hint about the manner of applying Christian Science. When the requisite mental work is finished, granting that it has been done understandingly, we have to leave the result entirely in God's hands.

A logical simile can be found in the experience of a mathematician who may be faced with what appears to be an intricate and difficult problem. Like the Christian Scientist, he approaches his problem from an entirely mental angle, for mathematics is wholly mental. The mathematician knows that, although the problem seems involved, it is not really so except to those who do not know the rules by which it is to be solved. He, however, does know them, and therefore has only to set to work calmly and positively to apply them. Does he doubt for a moment that the solution will be reached? Does he not, rather, know that his knowledge is sufficient to meet the need? and is he not confidently expectant of harmonious results? And so it is with us. Do not we take up the mental work necessary to destroy some particular phase of error with the certain conviction that it cannot persist in the face of the rules of divine Science which we are applying? Then, having done our work aright, do we go forward in expectancy that good, and good alone, will result? If so, the gloom which may have enveloped us will be dispelled, and our joy and hopefulness will prove helpful to us and those around us who may also have been worried over some material condition.

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