Speaking of Jesus, the master Metaphysician, Mary Baker Eddy writes on page 51 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "His purpose in healing was not alone to restore health, but to demonstrate his divine Principle."

A pointed proof of this statement is seen in the healing of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was instantly healed, as recorded in the eighth chapter of Luke's Gospel. The Master saw to it that his divine Principle, not superstition, received credit for the demonstration. Merely touching his material garment had not brought about the healing. He made it plain that the touch, or call for help, had reached the Christ, his divine understanding, when he said to the woman, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole." He also saw to it that the woman acknowledged the benefit received, thus dissipating any mystery about the healing. The Bible explains clearly, "And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately." This was an example of a complete demonstration of his divine Principle: an earnest, heart-hungry desire for Christ-healing put into execution, prayer answered, and then the admission that the Christ, Truth, heals.

The same divine Principle is being demonstrated today through the understanding of Christian Science. At the Wednesday evening meetings conducted by Christian Science churches and through the testimonies in the Christian Science periodicals, many people who have been healed of all sorts of diseases and troubles are acknowledging "before all the people" that they have been freed from bondage through the ministrations of Christian Science. On page 450 of Science and Health appear these words: "Some people yield slowly to the touch of Truth. Few yield without a struggle, and many are reluctant to acknowledge that they have yielded; but unless this admission is made, evil will boast itself above good."

One of the errors that most besets the student desiring to acknowledge that the Christ, Truth, has healed him is the same kind of groundless fear that argued with the woman whom Jesus healed. "She came trembling." Jesus' vindication of his divine Principle compelled the admission of the healing power of Christ, even though fear seemed to be an influence. She acknowledged her healing in spite of fear. Fear is never a reality. Therefore it can do nothing. Fear is not a doer. It cannot heal; neither can it prevent a healing. And in spite of its claim to existence students of Christian Science are proving that fear cannot prevent them from being healed, or deprive them of a complete demonstration by causing them to withhold the admission that a healing has taken place.

One student of Christian Science, during her early study of Science and Health and her practice of the truth she had learned, found herself assailed by fear and doubt in regard to giving Christian Science credit for benefits received, fear lest Christian Science might not be the real truth and doubt which would argue after a demonstration, "Maybe it would have happened so anyway." During this time worry and anxiety for loved ones had been overcome through her glimpsing the fact that God is Love and universal and impartial as Father-Mother. A sore throat had been healed instantaneously as physical sense testimony was reversed and perfection was seen where error claimed to be. Lost articles had been recovered as she realized the allness of Mind and Mind's perfect government.

One day she realized that before taking up the study of Christian Science she had never known the peace and happiness that Christian Science had given her. Worry, anxiety, and sickness had seemed too much of a reality to disappear quickly, and as for lost articles, they were seldom found. During this self-examination the realization came clearly that fear and doubt were preventing her from honestly admitting the healing power of the divine Principle of Christian Science. A great love for honesty and a prayerful desire to be honest at once overcame a fearful and doubting state of mind. The result was greater and more rapid growth in the understanding of Truth, and a healthier, happier, and more pleasing appearance than she had ever known. This paved the way later for a public acknowledgment of benefits which she had derived from studying and using Christian Science.

Fear and doubt, when detected as robbers, cannot steal away the peace and joy of the student of Christian Science who strives for honesty in his thinking and living. Nor can any erroneous arguments deter him from making his demonstrations complete by acknowledging the power of Truth, which blesses every honest effort to understand and utilize the teachings of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy says on page 372 of Science and Health, "In Christian Science, a denial of Truth is fatal, while a just acknowledgment of Truth and of what it has done for us is an effectual help."