No Evil Influence

George Shaw Cook

A Bacteriologist on the faculty of a well-known university was once responsible for the statement that an epidemic of influenza was under way which had already reached the stage where it might have been termed pandemic, rather than epidemic. Naturally, viewed from the standpoint of material medicine, the situation might have been regarded as alarming.

Doubtless the warning sounded by this professor was well meant, but the effect of such a pronouncement was harmful, rather than salutary. Such published statements have a tendency to create fear in the public mind, and fear is that upon which epidemics feed. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes on page 149 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Since God, divine Mind, governs all, not partially but supremely, predicting disease does not dignify therapeutics. Whatever guides thought spiritually benefits mind and body. We need to understand the affirmations of divine Science, dismiss superstition, and demonstrate truth according to Christ."

Whatever one's views on the subject of germs and microbes may be, it probably would be admitted that there are comparatively few who accord microbes sufficient intelligence to organize themselves into invading armies, and go forth to frighten and destroy human beings. Likewise, those who believe that there are good and bad germs contending for the mastery in the human body are probably in a decided minority.

Christian Science teaches that the germ theory of disease exists entirely in the realm of belief. It shows that there are in divine reality no disease germs and consequently no germ diseases. Therefore there is no basis in truth for contagious disease and no place in real body or spiritual identity for infection. Man's real being is spiritual. It exists as consciousness and consists of ideas. The ideas which constitute real body, or identity, express at all times perfect and right action, and there is no place for disease of any kind, either chronic or acute.

Those who find themselves in situations which because of existing circumstances are considered unfavorable to health need not fear the added difficulty of contending with disease just because medical propagandists say that there is danger. On page 176 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy says: "Human fear of miasma would load with disease the air of Eden, and weigh down mankind with superimposed and conjectural evils. Mortal mind is the worst foe of the body, while divine Mind is its best friend." And she continues on the same page, "Truth handles the most malignant contagion with perfect assurance."

Many persons who appear to be faced with disease or disaster have been helped and healed by the assurance contained in the ninety-first Psalm: "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." These words are just as true and just as demonstrable today as they were when they were written, centuries ago.

It is comforting and reassuring to know that there is no law of God to cause disease or to perpetuate it. And since God is the only real lawmaker, there is no so-called manmade law that can cause disease or cause it to continue, to develop, to change forms, or to go and come. Therefore, there is no truth in the belief that there is a disease called influenza which can assert itself in the experience of any person or result disastrously. Because disease is not real it can have no consequence or effect. There is no truth in the belief that anyone can be impaired or impoverished by disease. Health is the reality. Disease is at all times unreal.

God is Spirit, and Spirit is infinite. It has no opposite and no opposition. Man, the likeness of God, is spiritual and is subject to nothing unspiritual or evil. Man is the perfect expression of Mind, Spirit, God, and is capable of expressing nothing else and nothing less than the wholeness, the holiness, the health, the perfection of his creator.

The belief that man can be separated even for one instant from the glory, majesty, and power of God is not true. There is no separation from that which is infinite, and this fact establishes man's pre-existence and coexistence with divine Principle as its perfect spiritual idea. This truth operates as a law of protection and healing in the present human experience of those who accept it, and who are ready and willing to be governed by it.

George Shaw Cook

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit