The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-12-13
Emmanuel Movement and Christian Science

stroying the opposing evils quite as ef-
fectually as the sunlight dispels the
darkness. for they are based upon szi-
mutab1e and eternal Principle.
The basis OF all disease and sin IS t-s
belief that there are other creators,
other powers. besides God. There can
therefore be no real cure except that
which destroys this foundation OF the
trouble. A form OF mental treatment
which 10 itself based upon the same
error that caused II can not cure Il. II
a belief in minds many or powers many
caused the trouble. only the UNDER
standing Of the one infinite power. God.
can cure 1t. There Is something about
the truth which brings with its appear
ing a conscious and conclusive convic-
ton. which begets the assurance that
no further investigation on the given
point is necessary; whereas random ar
guments which are not based upon d.
vine principle and which are merely the
suggestions OF what one would have
come to pass are more or less weak
and uncertain in their results.
This marks the distinction between
the nature and effect of Christian Sci
ence and those methods which do not
depend upon God. The stately Oper-
ations'' Of Christian Science begin with
God. and every argument employed by
the Christian Scientist is based upon his
understanding OF immutable Principle
His effects are therefore, elevating and
permanent. The application Of Chris
tian Science must invariably produce
good results in character because they
constitute a plea which opposes all err
ror and which is in behalf OF the divine
will A consistent Christian Scientist
can never do anything but good To
do wrong necessitates an immediate de-
parture from Christian Science and the
institution of human methods of mental
operation. Human suggestion is unre-
strained except by the moral status OF
the operator. while a Christian Scientist
is restrained by the spiritual apprehen-
sion which governs him in his method.
, The effort 70 overcome disease by the
exercise of human Will does not rid one
of its cause: il leaves the patient still
in the belief that he has mind OF his
own. still without any recognition of
the divine Power still without knOwi-
edge of the basis OF healthy mental
condition. The practice of mental
suggestion leaves the patient where 1t
| found him save that he has an inten-
/ sified belief in mind OF his own the
/ same belief which constituted the basis
of his disease in the first instance He
! is not. therefore, healed even though his
\ condition appears to have changed Tor
/ the better. He has simply new form
| of belief which must be DESTROYED in
order that he may have permanent
health.
One would not argue that to open a
i window and let in the sunlight and DIS
/ pei the darkness is a method OF mental
j suggestion. and yet such an operation
! exactly illustrates the practice or
i Christian Science. 1t opens the door or
understanding to the sunlight OF God.
which destroys evil and disease. 1t Is,
therefore. manifestly unfair TO the pub
lie that one should coin a definition OF
? mental suggestion broad enough to in
i eIude the practice or Christian Science
without making a clear distinction be-
tween Christian Science and those
i forms OF mental practice which 6sp>s-s
upon something besides divine Mind TO
heal