The question, What shall we do with the body, or how shall we properly care for it? has brought trouble to the ages, and today it precipitates one of the hard problems in theology as well as in science and medicine. We are not, however, left without wise guidance in this respect, if we have recourse to Holy Writ. Our Master said, "Take no thought . . . for the body." Here is a distinct utterance by way of divine direction as to what we should do about the body. Most theologians, and Christian believers in general, do not understand that Jesus is to be taken simply at his word; but this fact remains true.

On page 478 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "That body is most harmonious in which the discharge of the natural functions is least noticeable." The first great mistake of mankind was made in the assumption that the ills which "flesh is heir to" are resident in the flesh, or the body. Christian Science makes it plain that the ills of the flesh, so called, are resident first of all in mortal mind, and that the divine Mind alone heals. This truism at once makes it clear that the whole problem is a metaphysical and not a physical one. When Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 201 of Science and Health that "the way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love," we immediately go back to the paragraph preceding this one, and read: "We cannot fill vessels already full. They must first be emptied." Inferentially, we thus learn that it is quite as impossible to empty human consciousness at once, as it would be to fill it with something else while it is already quite full.

It will require much meditation upon the Master's counsel, "Take no thought," to assure us that it is applicable to the present-day needs of humanity, and it is well for us to note all that he actually said, to wit: "Take no thought for your life, . . . nor yet for your body, . . . saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (for after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; ; and all these things shall be added unto you." Viewing this statement from the Christian Science standpoint, we observe that when Mrs. Eddy tells us we "cannot fill vessels already full," we are impelled first of all to empty consciousness of that which has occasioned so much distress and discord, sickness, disease, and death. But the way to do it, as she says, the way to get error out of mortal mind, is not by trying to extract that which offends, but by pouring in truth, and that "through flood-tides of Love."

This pouring-in process begins in the consciousness of most Truth-seekers when they first read Science and Health, and goes on as we thoughtfully read the Scriptures, our text-book, and other authorized Christian Science literature, as we attend Christian Science services, hear testimonies of Christian Science healing, or are the recipients of Christian Science treatment. The student may not be sufficiently familiar with the phraseology of Christian Science to understand the significance of this process at once, but if he will turn to page 251 of the text-book, beginning at line 15, he will find its philosophy very clearly and succinctly stated. He is taught that a certain connection or communication is established between the divine Mind and the so-called human mind, which effects the education of the human mind, out of its former self, or former sense of self, and ultimates in the realization that the divine Mind is the only Mind there is. The process is wholly metaphysical; it is the application of spiritual understanding to the elimination of false belief.

A common trouble for beginners grows out of the fact that they do not understand how the connection between the divine, omnipotent Mind and the human mind, or human consciousness, is to be cognized; but this is explained by the statement that the divine Mind operates upon or communicates to the human mind, so that it is presently led and enabled "to relinquish all error." No one, not even the best informed in Christian Science, will contend that this metaphysical work can be completed in a brief time ; but if we persevere, and in our perseverance recognize the spirit as well as the letter of Mrs. Eddy's instructions, the truth which has healed and saved so many will be found efficient in us, and we shall come to know that the question of the practical availability of Christian Science is forever settled. The need of persistency in our efforts to apply the truths of Christian Science to the solution of our own problems is duly emphasized in Isaiah's familiar words, "Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept ; line upon line, line upon line ; here a little, and there a little."

Our Leader herself followed precisely the course which she has thus mapped out for others, and if we are duly impressed by the success which attended her efforts, we will be impelled to adopt the method which she has commended and by means of which she accomplished so much for the betterment of mankind. In her iteration and reiteration she followed the order of all the great Scripture teachers. We have four gospels, and for the clearly implied reason that one would not have been enough. So, too, the unnumbered repetitions of the great fundamental statements of Christian Science in the pages of our text-book, serve to rivet attention and compel thoughtfulness thereupon in a way which has been vitally significant to thousands of needy people, and the importance of thus keeping fundamental truths before the mind is further emphasized by the fact that Mrs. Eddy named the twenty-six subjects of the Christian Science Bible LessonSermons, which are studied again and again, year after year.

Another point of difficulty which appears to many beginners is this, namely : How can it be possible for the action of divine Mind to be effective upon that which is called the human body? Mrs. Eddy has said respecting this, "The divine Mind, which forms the bud and blossom, will care for the human body, even as it clothes the lily ; but let no mortal interfere with God's government by thrusting in the laws of erring, human concepts" (Science and Health, p. 62). Not many of us may have thought that it is God's business to take care of that which we call the human body, but if we remind ourselves once more that it was the Master who said, "Take no thought for . . . the body," we must see that seeking "first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," holds for us the promise, not alone of holiness, but of health as well, and necessarily on the basis of Christian metaphysics. St. Paul evidently understood this to be a fundamental of Christianity, for in his discussion upon the body in the twelfth chapter of Romans, he employs this significant language: "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." The possibility of this transformation of the human mind and body is proven by the testimony of nearly half a century of Christian Science Mind-healing. Instances of the corrective and redemptive power of Truth may be found in well-nigh every village and hamlet of the civilized world.

In every issue of The Christian Science Journal since it was founded in 1883, in each number of the weekly Sentinel, and in all of the Wednesday evening meetings in Christian Science churches, testimonies are given in proof of the transformation, by the renewing of the mind, of hitherto sick bodies. Those who formerly used drugs and other material remedies in quantity and without avail, and who have been restored to health through spiritual means alone, are living witnesses to the power of good over evil, of Truth over error. They also come to realize the ever-presence of the divine Mind that cares for His every idea.