Article July 4, 1936 Issue

Healing Thoughts

RUTH R. WESLER

It is recorded in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of John that a man who for nearly forty years had suffered an infirmity, and who was lying by the pool of Bethesda in discouragement and disappointment, was observed by Jesus. Many other people throughout the years had, no doubt, observed the plight of this man, some probably with indifference, some with a degree of pity, and others perhaps with scorn, believing him to be sinful, or at least repelling. Jesus saw as real only the true selfhood, the son of God; and the man was healed.

With the light which our Leader has thrown upon the Scriptures the healing works of Jesus are seen to be natural demonstrations of spiritual law, which law can be applied at any time or place by anyone having sufficient understanding. Jesus, the Way-shower, began his ministry where we all must begin if we would gain enough understanding to heal by spiritual power. He began with the spiritual baptism which made possible his mastery of self. In the wilderness he met and mastered every temptation which came to his consciousness. He refuted every suggestion that matter had intelligence or power, either to exalt or to debase him. This strengthened his allegiance to the Father and His spiritual creation, so that he was ready to go forth and utilize for the benefit of all mankind the power he had thus attained. A study of his words and works shows that Jesus constantly maintained the consciousness of the perfection of man in God's image, and that he was filled with compassion. We also note the absence of condemnation from his thought. It took no time for Jesus to make the man at the pool "every whit whole," because his thought was always prepared, ever beholding God's perfect man. Healing thoughts are thoughts of perfection.

In a letter, Mrs. Eddy once enjoined the members of The Christian Science Board of Lectureship, in part, in these words: "Improve every opportunity to correct sin through your own perfectness" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 249). This advice given to those appointed to proclaim publicly the mission of Christian Science is equally applicable to every Christian Scientist. And, like the Master, we must receive the baptism of Spirit, and overcome temptation in our own thought, that we may be empowered to heal through the understanding of Truth.

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