WHAT THOUGHT SHALL I HOLD?

RICHARD P. VERRALL

It is probable that the question which forms the title of this article has been put many times to every practitioner of Christian Science. The fact that so many who are students of this Science continue to ask this question is incongruous, because Mary Baker Eddy has dealt with it so specifically in her several writings. For example, on pages 495 and 496 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," we find a detailed discussion of the best way to progress in understanding this Science. One sentence reads: "Hold perpetually this thought,—that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being."

Nothing could be plainer than this in showing that it is the spiritual idea, and not human effort, which heals; yet in practice it is found that the academically-minded student is apt to rely too much upon the so-called human intellect, rather than upon the divine Mind, in the attempt to grasp spiritual truths. God alone can impart His own ideas. The prophets of old knew better than the most diligent student of religious theory today that it is not so much a knowledge of the letter of truth as the practical demonstration of it that determines one's ability to understand the mysteries of godliness. Mrs. Eddy admonishes her readers (ibid., p. 496): "Ask yourself: Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good? Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love? If so, then the way will grow brighter 'unto the perfect day.' Your fruits will prove what the understanding of God brings to man."

By discarding doubts, fears, and other mortal thoughts which may heretofore have been tenaciously held in consciousness, we make room for right, spiritual ideas. Thoughts focused upon one's finite, personal sense of himself and others are more or less limited and selfish. These thoughts need to be relinquished in favor of entertaining only God's pure and perfect ideas. These ideas come of their own accord to those ready to receive them. We have our Leader's assurance that our heavenly Father anticipates our every human need. She writes (ibid., p. 7): "The 'divine ear' is not an auditory nerve. It is the all-hearing and all-knowing Mind, to whom each need of man is always known and by whom it will be supplied."

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