Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-02-21
EaNY OLYMF|ANS HEAR LECTURE
CONTINUED from page 81


Let it be understood at once that it
is not possible to reform the sinner or
heal the sick in Christian Science by
what is termed mental suggestion.
The practitioner who tries to influence,
cajole or force his subject to believe
anything which he himself does not
believe, is deceiving both himself and
his subject, and is using some kind OF
will-power, whether it be styled men,
tai suggestion, mesmerism, animal
magnetism, or hypnotism. The prac-
titioner who suggests to his subject
some state of mind which the practi-
toner imagines to be desirable but
does not believe to be true, is not prac-
Using Christian Science. The practice
of Christian Science admits of no
questionable or equiyocal situations.
1t means the reflection of Truth to the
sufferer, the recognition and realiza-
ton of the only true God, and of mans
true nature as made IN the image and
likeness of God. Nothing short of the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth will satisfy the demands
of Christian Science. Not truth to
which the physical senses need sub
scribe; but the truth which must be
spiritually discerned, which is estab-
lished now, as it always has been and
always will be. Against this truth
nothing can prevail.
The answer to the question, What is
the Christian Science treatment? is a
very simple one; so simple that those
who are looking for some strange new
invention, for some sore of mysterious,
mystic, or occult influence of one hui
man mind over another, for some ex-
hibition of human will-power, will be
disappointed. The modus operandi of
Christian Science in reforming the
sinner and healing the sick may be
described in one word, and that word
an old-fashioned one which is familiar
10 mankind the world over. Christian
Science conquers sin. sickness and
death by prayer By prayer scientifi-
cally understood and applied, man.
kind can possess itself of all Gods
blessings-of health, happiness, and an
increasing measure Of sinlessness, but
only when mankind complies with
Gods laws.
This prayer must not be addressed
to a false god or a man-made god,
must not be colored by the assumption
that God is human being; that He is
a dispenser of evil as we'll as good,
given to sudden reversals and to re-
pentance, melting out rewards and pun
ishments like a human sovereign.
Prayer which attempts to change God
from His purpose, to give Him infor-
nation about His creation, to induce
Him to do what He has not already
done,-such prayer must remain UNI
answered, because addressed to a false
god; indeed, to an impossible god. Nor
is such prayer sanctioned by Jesus.
The Great Master gave us The
Lords Prayer. He also gave us the
following profoundly metaphysical ad-
vice concerning prayer: What things
soever We desire when We pray, believe
that We receive them, and We shall have
them" mark II; 24).
Mrs. Eddy thus defines prayer in the
opening words of Science and
Health:
"The prayer that reforms the sinner
and heals the sick is an absolute faith
that all things are possible to Coda
spiritual understanding of Him, an un-
selfed love-"
This absolute faith, or spiritual un.
Outstanding, although producing phys
ical as we'll as mental and moral re.
suits, cannot be based on the testi
mony of physical sense, but must find
its satisfaction in the things which
are not seen. 1t entails cultivation
of right thinking and of spiritual per.
|ception; no haphazard, blind belief
will bring the answer to our prayer
but knowing, or science of God, is
the indispensable foundation for sue.
cessful prayer. To pray with this un.
derstanding is to pray Alright. This is
the effectual prayer, the prayer OF
faith" which James assures us shall
save the SICK" as we'll as reform the
sinner.
Material Methods.
Now, in contradistinction to this
method of healing the sick by spiritual
means what can we say of the prevail
ing method? How does it compare
with the example set by Jesus. his dis
ciples and apostle and by the early
Christians for some three or four hun
dred years after the crucifixion?
The prevailing method of healing
the SICK tTedtS HAL as HdlcTldi Auc-
chanism, and not as a thinking be-
ing, governed by God. The attempt to
heal man by treating him as matter
has resulted in succession of expert
ments, but has never established an
enduring, final, or truly scientific
method of destroying disease.
The history of these experiments,
from the earliest times to the present
day, should make thoughtful men and
women pause. Christian Scientists
yield to no one in giving due credit to
the good men in all ages who have de-
voted their lives in an endeavor to
heal the sick by material means. They
honor their motive while disagreeing
with their methods. But every think
er should recognize that the practice of
material medicine has failed to dis
close the true cause of disease. The
effects of disease on the physique are
apparent, but the attempt to find the
cause in matter has failed for the SIM
pie reason that the cause Is not ma
terial, but mental.
Every material substance on the