It is related in the sixteenth chapter of Mark's Gospel that Jesus, after rising from the grave, spoke to his disciples of the healing signs which follow them that believe. He was then "received up into heaven," and the apostles "went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following."

What is this power which brings about the confirmation of God's Word? Is its attainment a present possibility? Yes, Christian Science is proving daily that the outward signs of improved health, sounder morals, more abundant supply, happier relationships, and so forth result now as in the time of Jesus and his disciples from a spiritual understanding of divine Love. This demonstrable understanding advances one from theory to proof and promotes the outward fulfillment of whatever the scientific fact implies. The earnest student of Christian Science constantly seeks the power-bestowing inspiration of this infinite Love so that when he handles the false claims of material sense his treatment will accomplish the necessary external improvement.

A dictionary defines the word confirm in part as follows: "To establish ... to ratify .... To give new assurance of the truth of, ... to verify; to corroborate .... To confirm is to give certainty, frequently to that which has been regarded as doubtful." In the light of these definitions we may glimpse the importance of the outward sign, which is the actual confirmation of the divine Word. Without proof Christian Science would be confined to the impractical realm of theory, and to human sense its claims would not appear to be substantiated.

The spiritual understanding and scientific application of the spiritual laws of ever-present Love enable the student to heal material misconception through a correct perception of the underlying spiritual idea. Scientific argument and analysis are authorized procedures in the metaphysical work of Christian Science, but these factors alone cannot accomplish the needed correction in human experience. To meet the human need practically and effectively divine Love must bear active witness to the scientific argument, and this wedding of the letter and the spirit will destroy the offending material condition and bring about the proper outward adjustment.

What would be thought of a bookkeeper who, after uncovering an error in his computations, failed to confirm the mental correction by adjusting the figures in the ledger? Could we commend such a mathematician for leaving the objectified evidence of that mistake inscribed on paper? Even so, in Christian Science the outward evidence should conform to the improved thought or spiritualized concept, else the Word has not been truly confirmed. Stating the fact that man is perfect while failing to manifest that perfection outwardly is not demonstrating Christian Science.

Christ Jesus never failed to confirm his words "with signs following." When he commanded the lame to walk, the blind to see, and the deaf to hear, the response was immediate and permanent. Without doubt Jesus considered these outward signs as indispensable to the success of his mission. But what if there had been no confirmation of God's Word, no external proof of healing to establish the validity of Jesus' sayings? What, for instance, would have been the reaction of that assembly which thronged the house at Capernaum if the Master, after preaching so compellingly of God's power to heal, had rebuked in vain the error of the man who had been brought to him for regeneration?

In the chambers of imagery we are able to reconstruct the impressive scene as it is so vividly recorded for us in the second chapter of Mark's Gospel. We visualize Jesus lovingly teaching the inspired message of Love to an audience which had filled the house to overflowing. Some of the less fortunate were standing in the street without, hoping to catch some word or phrase of the famous Nazarene. Suddenly, even as the great Teacher spoke, a noise overhead caused a distraction. Four men, having failed to get through the doorway because of the multitude, had climbed to the roof and were removing the tiling. Into the center of the crowded room they presently lowered a bed on which lay a palsied man.

Though they knew it not, the privileged onlookers were about to witness an instantaneous confirmation of the divine Word, a healing so marvelous that millions yet unborn will thrill to the wonder of it. We read that "when Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Then followed that stirring utterance which has resounded down through centuries and which continues to reverberate in the hearts of spiritually-minded men, "I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house."

Every eye in the crowded room must have been fastened on the sick man. It was here, and not in pedantic theory or intellectual logic, that proof of Love's irresistible power was to be manifested. The outward response of the palsied man might subsequently determine the doubt or faith of the waiting multitude and would either verify or discredit the teachings of the Master. Would the man arise in obedience to Jesus' command or would he remain as before? There can be no failure when the Word of divine Love is spiritually confirmed. Before the astonished gaze of the entire assembly the erstwhile invalid immediately "arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all." What amazement and awe followed this divine confirmation! What doubt and disbelief must have been swept away at the witnessing of this proof of Love's presence and power.

Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 473): "Jesus established what he said by demonstration, thus making his acts of higher importance than his words. He proved what he taught. This is the Science of Christianity. Jesus proved the Principle, which heals the sick and casts out error, to be divine."

Every law of divine Principle is capable of proof, and the blessed privilege of demonstrating these laws belongs impartially to all. Scientific affirmation of the truth, plus the Love-imparted spiritual understanding of Truth which seals and confirms the Word in our hearts, results in fruitage beyond the ability of any human agency to duplicate. The outward signs can be ours today if, through consecrated prayer and study, thought is elevated to receive and bear witness to this divine possibility.

Instantaneous healing—that is, healing in which the element of time has been entirely eliminated—merely indicates immediate confirmation of the truth, and it is neither supernatural nor mysterious. Both Christ Jesus and our faithful Leader healed quickly and permanently, and their inspiring examples remain throughout all time to be observed and emulated by Christian Scientists everywhere.

And if confirmation is not instantaneous, what then? Shall the student become discouraged and lose hope, perhaps feeling that his present understanding is too feeble, too inadequate to solve the problem satisfactorily? The holy inspiration of Love is never inadequate! Like Jacob wrestling with the angel, let the student of Christian Science struggling with some error hold fast to his God-bestowed inspiration until the day of spiritual confirmation breaketh and he too is blessed with the consequent reward of healing.

In the Christian Science Hymnal these words from Hymn No. 12 have a special significance for all students of this great religion: