Article March 22, 1941 Issue

Scientific Demonstration

HERBERT W. COCHRAN

One definition of "demonstration" is. "Proof by such evidence of facts, principles, and arguments, as precludes denial or reasonable doubt." Christian Science demonstrates, or proves, the availability and practicability of infinite Truth in present human experience by healing the sick, reforming the sinner, overcoming hate, malice, envy, and generally improving the status of being; and it does this by a purely spiritual method. That its method is effective is attested by thousands of cases of healing, and has been admitted by many unbiased people who are not, as yet, among its adherents; so there can be no "reasonable doubt" concerning the facts of Christian Science. Whoever understands this Science is able to prove its power.

Paul states, "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." This signifies that the preaching of the gospel should invariably result in the healing of the sick. Christian Science proves that a true understanding of Scripture in its spiritual sense does result in healing. The Christian Scientist rejoices that he is learning how to make use of the demonstrable power of God to adjust every difficulty that confronts him. By demonstrating spiritual facts and laws, he proves the changeless goodness of God, Soul, and dissipates the false belief that there can be a real opposite to infinite good. Of course, when the harmony of spiritual sense is discerned and realized, the human aspect must also right itself; for example, if one seemed to lack supply, employment, or happiness, he would find his human need provided for when spiritual sense had corrected human belief. When a false law claims to govern some situation, and a Christian Scientist, by resorting to divine law and spiritual understanding, destroys this so-called material law and its consequent erring effects, and harmony results, it may be said that he has made a demonstration. He has proved the truth of Christian Science — and this in opposition to accredited human knowledge.

Materiality does not enter into the premises or conclusions of a Christian Science demonstration. There is no substance in matter; so the student recognizes that lack, infirmity, discord, and even matter itself are products of false belief, elements of nothingness, and that reason, based upon spirituality, can dissipate the mental darkness which seems to hide true abundance, soundness, concord, and genuine substance. Harmony, health, peace, righteousness, goodness, and success are the fruits of scientific demonstraion. One makes a demonstration, not by selfishly satisfying human wants, but by proving the nothingness of any opposite to infinite Love, and by realizing the all-pervading control of divine Principle in the human realm as well as in the divine. When one reasons from the standpoint of divine Love, selfishness cannot enter into his calculation. Righteousness, not self-interest, becomes the motive of his actions.

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