The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-13

viction TO the patient 1t eorrects the
false sense OF mans true nature and
the ills attending this false sense there
fore depart
Christian Science Versus Mental sue-
sestion.
Although we may concede to every
non-material method, by which results
are sought, the propriety of being
called mental, yet We must learn 10
mark the distinction between that
which is mortal-that which results
from the action OF the so-ealled mortal
mind-and that which is spiritual and
immortal, the action of the divine
Mind. 1t is not always easy to de-
,ermine, from external observation,
he difference between the effect or
Christian Science and that of mental
suggestion, for. so far as concerns the
outward appearance, the improved con
dition Of the beneficiary of mortal
mind influence is very similar TO that
of beneficiary of Christian Science,
The chief distinction is likely
to be seen in the mental
and mora. status of the in
dividual Jesus knew this when He
eounselled that We Judge not accord
ing to the appearance but judge right
eous Judgment" II is sometimes
possible to produce changes in the
physical condition of a subject through
the influence Of mortal mind because
of the close relationship between
thought and the bodily organism; but
We can not be assured of the perma-
neney of such changes. even though
they appear to be changes for the bet
ter, because they are not based upon a
fixed principle.
A mental mode of healing the sick
which depends upon mere change of
human thought, or belief irrespective
of its absolute truthfulness. though
producing temporary change in ex-
ternal appearances, can not be con-
sidered a real cure but is on a par with
| that which is mentioned in the Scrip
lures as healing The hurt of the
daughter of my people slightly. saying
Peace, peace; when there is no peace"
Even as far back as the days of Moses
and Pharoah there were counterfeit as
well as the genuine manifestations.
The Egyptians for a while appeared to
duplicate the wonders performed by
Moses, but there came a time when
they could no longer follow him.
Their efforts failed, they could pro-
coed no farther in their attempted
wonderworkings and they said of Mos
es' power, This is the finger of God"
Thus we note that experience develop
ed a conviction which mere phenom-
ena could not produce.
1t has oftentimes been argued that
bodily healing cannot be considered
as absolute evidence that Christian
| Science Is the truth, since results can
be had by the application of other
mental theories. This seems plausible
but we insist that a result which is
not based upon divine Truth Is not
a genuine result, but mere seeming
| II we are unwilling to believe this we
will surely be convinced by the logic
of events. Error may be temporarily
substituted for error. but only truth
can destroy it, therefore II is wise to
learn the truth and make our results
| permanent. Every step taken scienti-
| fically is really a step in advance and
hence a step for eternity which needs
never to be retraced. In original in
vestment it costs no more to possess
the true than II does to possess the
counterfeit. One Is as available as
the other. 1t therefore behooves us to
have the best, to adopt that which
can be permanently retained, the "bet'
ter part" which the Master said could
never be taken away. To believe that
/ Christian Science heals by the same
methods which are employed in sug.
gestion is detrimental to ones well.
being since it obscures the line of dis.
tinction between the influence OF
| Spirit, God and that of human will.
which is more or less misguided. and
therefore, prone to seek the enforce.
ment of that which is not good.
Mental operations should have for
their motive something more exalted
than the mere purpose of influencing
or being influenced. They should have
in consideration the character of the
influence involved as well as the char
acter which it begets. Those mental
modes which are not prompted and
governed by divine intelligence, but
which are at the mercy of human
judgment, are quite as likely to be
wrong as right. It is more easy to
determine the difference between
Christian Science and mental sugges
| ton by considering the basis of oper.
atoms than by noting phenomena,
but in the long run the basis of results
will be Enthusiastically evident in their
virtue and permanency.
To attempt to cure disease by moral
influence, the same influence which
| fathers all disease, is like trying to rid
ones self of error by covering it up:
to use a common expression it is like
telling one falsehood to cover another
Such practice could not be consider
| ed cure.
The argument which measures hui
man woes by an abiding conscious
ness of the divine power and presence
as understood in Christian Science il
as convincing as known mathemati
cal truth and hence certain and per
manent in it's results Mrs Eddy de.
| ciares in Science and Health. page
270, only by understanding thai
| there is one power, Mind.-not two
| powers. matter and mind.-are scien