Audible and Inaudible Treatment

George Shaw Cook

It is probable that most of the treatments given by Christian Science practitioners are silent or inaudible treatments. For various reasons this is quite understandable and, under all the existing circumstances, quite as it should be. It would not, however, be well for practitioners—and all who are demonstrating the truth of being for themselves and for others are practitioners—to give only silent treatments. There are frequently circumstances in which the spoken word is desirable as well as efficacious. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

From the Gospel record of the healing ministrations of Jesus the Christ, it would appear that most of his healing was accomplished through what may be termed audible treatment, and it is noteworthy that practically all of the healings brought about by Jesus in this manner were instantaneous. He spoke the truth with conviction and authority based upon complete understanding of the power and presence of infinite Mind, Spirit, God, to whom he referred as the Father; and this healed sin, sickness, and even death, often instantaneously.

"For him the grave could hold no dread,

He spoke the word and raised the dead."

There is one notable instance in the ministry of Jesus where it would appear that silent and audible treatment were combined; that was in the restoration of Lazarus. Word was sent to Jesus that Lazarus, of Bethany, was sick. At first he said, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep." Then, seeing that they did not understand him, he said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead." Several days intervened, however, before he arrived in Bethany, and it is altogether likely that much of that time was occupied by Jesus in silent prayer, knowing the truth about the eternality of Life, and about man as the immortal expression of Life. So, when he reached the tomb in which the body had been placed, he was prepared to say with authority, "Lazarus, come forth"; and immediately his friend obeyed the masterful command.

On page 2 of her book "No and Yes" Mary Baker Eddy writes, "I have healed more disease by the spoken than the unspoken word." And yet she did not in any sense disparage the use of silent treatment in healing. On the contrary, an examination of the chapters "Christian Science Practice" and "Teaching Christian Science," in the Christian Science textbook, indicates her expectation that most of the treatments by Christian Scientists, for the time being at least, would be given silently.

However, there are instances when it would be kind and considerate, especially in cases of those slightly acquainted with Christian Science, for practitioners to preface their silent treatments by a few wise words of explanation. Doubtless, at times, beginners have expected this explanation and perhaps have been somewhat mystified, if not discouraged, by the practitioner merely saying, "All right, I will do some work for you," and then proceeding to give a silent treatment without further comment. This might possibly indicate that the practitioner had failed temporarily to recall our Leader's words on page 396 of Science and Health: "At the right time explain to the sick the power which their beliefs exercise over their bodies. Give them divine and wholesome understanding, with which to combat their erroneous sense, and so efface the images of sickness from mortal mind."

The foregoing words of Mrs. Eddy would not, however, lead wise workers in Christian Science to make the mistake of thinking that all of their treatments should be given audibly. Neither would they make the mistake of talking too much or too soon. They would remember that their Leader's words, quoted above, are, "At the right time explain to the sick." To talk to the patient who knows little of Christian Science in a way that will be truly helpful to him requires the exercise of wisdom, compassion, tenderness, intuition, and inspiration. The practitioner needs in such circumstances to turn humbly to divine Mind for guidance, and in doing so he will find that he is able to say that which will be most helpful to the patient. Otherwise he might make the mistake of saying that which would only confuse the one he is seeking to help, rather than heal him.

A right balance should be maintained in Christian Science practice between audible and inaudible treatment, and this balance will be found and maintained through prayerful study of the Bible and of Mrs. Eddy's writings, remembering that Paul said of the Scriptures that they are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," and never overlooking the fact that our Leader has said (ibid., p. 447), "The sick are not healed merely by declaring there is no sickness, but by knowing that there is none."

George Shaw Cook

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Editorial

One Manifestation

November 9, 1935

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