NO FORMULAS IN CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

LESLIE HARRIS

Someone investigating Christian Science whose work involved the daily use of mathematics said: "Every formula in mathematics meets a particular situation. Since Christian Science, like mathematics, is a Science, why can't I find in it a formula to solve my problems?"'

The Principle of Christian Science is divine Love. Love is never stereotyped; hence it can never be reduced to formulas, but must be freely expressed in love. Everyone's way of reflecting Love is individual. There is no formula for it yet divine Principle demands that we all express Love. Love is proved not so much by what we do as by what we are; not so much by how we act as by how we feel when we act. It is our motive that determines whether or not Love is at the helm of our thought.

For example, one way to express Love is to be generous. If we had a formula regarding generosity, one might say that because he gave a government official an expensive gift he had proved himself generous, hence loving. But if he felt by so doing that he could buy the official's vote or influence, this would not be expressing divine Principle, Love, but rather would it be a completely unprincipled act. On the other hand, in the Biblical story of the poor widow who threw two mites into the church treasury, Jesus commended the true generosity of the gift because he perceived the spirit of love in the donor's thought.

In Christian Science, Principle is not cold and rigid, but divine Love itself. Its law cannot be reduced to formulas, since Love can be obeyed and lived only as we comprehend it in its infinite manifestations of justice and mercy, firmness and tenderness, wisdom and love.

Formulas have no place in Christian Science treatment, and in the Manual of The Mother Church Mary Baker Eddy forbids them. (See' Art. VIII, Sect. 9.) It is the reflecting of divine Love in genuine compassion that heals. We may say, or read, many times a day the most beautiful or thorough treatment as far as words go, but unless our heart is inspired with faith, with joy, with confidence in the power of the Word, healing will not result. To demonstrate the divine Principle we must be imbued with the attributes of that Principle. We must so realize the allness and perfection of Love that sin and disease lose their claim to reality in human consciousness and subsequently disappear.

There is no hard and fast rule as to how we may achieve this realization of God's presence and power. Sometimes this exalted state comes instantaneously through the illumination of a Bible promise or through silent communing with God. Again it may come gradually through prayerful study and earnest longing to know God better. But always, if our motive is right and our desire genuine, we can through inspiration and revelation gain more of the light of Truth and confidently prove our Principle. As our Leader assures us in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 203), "A deep sincerity is sure of success, for God takes care of it."

While there are no formulas for Christian Science treatment, there is one requisite for all of those who would improve their ability to heal successfully through such treatment, and that is to be more Christlike. This indispensable need must be met through consistent striving for more humility, more grace, more kindness, and more mercy. No repetition of magic words ever makes one Christlike. Nor do mere rites and ceremonies purify one's heart and thus enable one to see God.

Only through daily living the Sermon on the Mount and thus following the Way-shower does one emulate the Master and awaken to the Christliness that heals. As Jesus said (John 8:31, 32), "If ye' continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." This is the way to gain more of the light of the Christ that enables us to solve our problems in Christian Science. As one of our much-loved hymns reads (Christian Science Hymnal. No. 230),

Our friend, our brother, and our Lord,
What may thy service be?
Nor name, nor form, nor ritual word,
But simply following thee.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.—Isaiah 40:31.

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