Article January 27, 1951 Issue

CONQUERING BY DENIAL

HAROLD CARLYON

For some time, when a younger student of Christian Science, the writer held the view that the denial of error in Christian Science was only of minor importance, the affirmation of the truth appearing to him as the all-important consideration. He convinced himself of this partly by reasoning that the affirmation on "Twice two is four" is of far greater value than the negative statement, or denial, "Twice two is not five." He was later led to modify this view and to see that the denial of error is of vital importance. Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, settles the question on page 339 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where she writes, "You conquer error by denying its verity."

Mrs. Eddy writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 357), '"There is no matter' is not only the axiom of true Christian Science, but it is the only basis upon which this Science can be demonstrated." It is noteworthy that she bases the demonstration of Christian Science on what appears to be a merely negative statement: "There is no matter." Deeper thought, however, shows that this is not merely a negative statement, but a positive statement of truth, for in denying matter's reality it affirms Spirit's allness; and so it is with every denial of error from the standpoint of Truth.

A vivid proof that one conquers error by denying its verity came under the writer's observation. The mother of a sick child was greatly uplifted when she saw the child healed of a serious physical ailment almost instantaneously through the audible declaration of a Christian Science practitioner that nothing existed or was present but the allness, the infinite spiritual harmony, of God.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

EVER-PRESENT SUPPLY