Article May 28, 1949 Issue

To demonstrate the healing power of Science: are we getting the spirit as well as the word?

OUR UNDERSTANDING ALWAYS SUFFICIENT

MONROE S. IRELAND

How often we hear the lament, "I haven't enough understanding to demonstrate the healing power of Christian Science." While it is true that we all need spiritual understanding, let us bear in thought that mere knowledge of the letter of Christian Science is not in itself sufficient to heal the woes and ills of mankind. Mary Baker Eddy, the beloved Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 495), advises that we "study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit."

The patriarchs of old had very little of the letter compared to what the student of Christian Science today has at his command. Yet these venerable followers of Truth raised the dead and healed all manner of ills by a simple faith in the omnipotence and ever-presence of God. They understood somewhat the truth of being and through simple logic proved it to be practical. There is little doubt that they made every possible effort to gain as much of the letter as their times afforded, but it was their firm trust in God, divine Principle, which gave them spiritual dominion.

It is essential that we know the letter of Christian Science, It is, however, more essential that we imbibe the spirit of its practical usefulness. The amount of letter knowledge we have gained is not so important as the faith and confidence in the truth we declare, however small it may seem to be. Our need is to place full reliance on Truth, knowing that only good will be manifested.

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