Does Christian Science advocate the use of medicine? Definitely yes, but not as this word is usually understood in terms of material drugs. Mrs. Eddy states, "The medicine of Science is divine Mind." ^{Science and Health, p. 104;} As one turns to God, or Mind, and realizes His infinite presence, power, and goodness, he is partaking of spiritual medicine, which is adequate to heal any afflictive condition.

The majority of people have been educated to believe that man is a physical mortal, subject under given human circumstances to disease and sickness. Over the centuries there have evolved material remedies—potions and drugs of all kinds—intended to restore men to soundness. Sometimes these remedies appear to heal; sometimes they don't. A drug that seems helpful in one instance is harmful in another. Many medical practitioners readily admit that the practice of medicine at its best is far from exact and that it often descends to mere guesswork and the faint hope that its prescriptions may be effective.

Isn't there a better, surer, more positive way to destroy the evil of sickness? Christian Science says that there is, and as proof it points to the countless healings effected through the utilization of this Science over the past one hundred years. It approaches the problem of curing disease, not from a material, but from a spiritual standpoint and begins with the simple but profound Scriptural statement that man—the real man—is made in the image and likeness of God. Man must then be spiritual, perfect, and intact, for God, infinite Spirit, is perfect and immutable. Because God is ever present and omnipotent, evil, manifested as disease or sin, must be without power or presence. From this, one has to conclude that, despite the contrary evidence of the material senses, disease is actually unreal.

As one turns away from the material senses and their testimony of affliction and glimpses something of the allness and supremacy of God, he begins to see that the entire concept of man as a sick mortal, striving to be well through the application of material remedies, is false. God, divine Love, would not, could not, cause sickness. As the Bible says, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity." ^{Hab. 1:13;}

God maintains His creation as He made it, eternally perfect, immune from sickness. All that sickness can possibly be, then, is a mistaken belief about man and his susceptibility to disease forces. As one grasps these truths, he is partaking of the medicine of Mind, which is adequate to heal every unhealthy condition.

Healing through spiritual medicine rather than through material drugs should not be thought strange or unreasonable. The Psalmist exhorts us, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." ^{ps. 103:2, 3;} The argument that God heals through material potions is fallacious, for Spirit would never heal through that which is the very opposite of Spirit.

Just how is "the medicine of Science" utilized? Through a clear understanding of God and of man made in His likeness. One might well begin by establishing in thought a true appreciation of God's power and presence and seeing understandably that God, good, is omnipotent and fills all space; therefore that evil has no presence or power. This leads to a more distinct realization that man, as God's witness, is Godlike in every respect and is therefore free from all evil.

One must express the qualities of Spirit, such as hope, faith, love, purity, courage, and the like. Mrs. Eddy states, "God s preparations for the sick are potions of His own qualities." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 268;} On the other hand, evil characteristics, such as fear, resentment, envy, and anger tend to resist good and are often the cause of disease. If any of these are present in thought, they must be put out for one to demonstrate the curative power of the potions of Mind.

Fortified with the spiritual truths of being, one is ready to administer "the medicine of Science." The first step is to allay fear by discerning that the allness of God exempts man from disease and danger. In the kingdom of Love, where man always is, there is nothing to fear. Next, one needs to deny the erroneous claims of evil seeking recognition as reality and to declare the healing truths of Mind with understanding and conviction. This work includes recognizing what error is suggesting—diseased action, contagion, decrepitude, heredity, and the like—and then realizing that such beliefs are contrary to God's creation and hence without power or influence. The counterfact, the irresistible ability of Mind to hold man faultless and intact, disposes of the problem.

Spiritual medicine cannot be mixed with material drugs. One cannot, for instance, take an occasional aspirin while attempting to rely on Mind for healing. Any effort to apply both spiritual and material remedies at the same time shows that we do not understand Spirit's omnipotence and the spurious nature of evil and its aggressive claims. Christ Jesus knew perfectly well that one cannot rely on both Spirit and matter. He taught, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." ^{Matt. 6:24.} He invariably served God. Never did he turn to matter for healing; never did he prescribe drugs, potions, or any physical therapy. He healed quickly and permanently through spiritual understanding alone. And he was unmistakably clear in stating that we should do the same.

One who has demonstrated the potency of spiritual medicine is not only healed physically but has gained a measure of spiritual understanding that brings him closer to his Maker and enriches his entire life. His effort to replace the false concept called sickness with the perfection of Spirit's creation has rewarded him with the greatest of all gifts—a clearer comprehension of God and of man as His expression. Such is the operation of "the medicine of Science."

We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
which art, and wast, and art to come;
because thou hast taken to thee thy great power,
and hast reigned.

Revelation 11:17