The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-01-14
THINKING RIGHTLY

N is gratifying TO note. as a sign c
The times. states the Christia
Sci9nee Sentinel. that many peopl
are recognizing not only the futilit
but also the harmfulness and ba
taste OF indulging one OF the stoc
s'ia s~ss of general conversation
namely. descriptions OF the ills "ths
hesh is heir to-" The Ladies' HON
Journal Is dsing its share toward 70
warding this reform, and we gladl
quote from its November editoris
page as follows
wish we were all Christian
SAentists Zone moment-thls
sentence isn't finished yeti in
one respect: that we would cease
from discussing our Ills and ails
either with one another or in pub
lie. Whatever else we may ac-
cept OF the doctrines OF Christian
Science is an affair personal to
each one or us. But the personal
line rs crossed when some one in
q company from which we cannot
extricate ourselves or in a public
place where wen cannot help list
en.ng begins, step by step, TO
describe the symptoms of a per
si.T,a' Ill or to relate the gruesome
dds Of an operation. 1t is not
ne ssary that we shall be un-
sympathetic with persons who
are in physical trouble, but
neither is II incumbent upon US to
be forced to listen to a detailed
narration OF those troubles. and
they should not be inflicted upon
us. II may not be an agreeable
truth to realize, but ii Is fact
nevertheless that, excepting
those who are very close to rs,
our friends are not interested In
our i'll health. When we are
asked the perfunctory salutation,
How are you feeling?" It is not
meant that, like pulling bunS
out OF a barrel, we shall pour
out upon the inquirer a stream OF
our physical Ills and ails. Be-
sides the injustice to others,
there Is the harm to ourselves Of
allowing the mind to rest upon
the Ills Of the body. II more Of
us could realize that the body
will be healthy about in proper
ton as We keep the mind happy,
there would be fewer aches and
pains talked about. . A happy
mind IL the best doctor that ex-
lists for the body, and conversely
"a mind always conferred on the
pains that exist, tends not only
to make those pains worse but to
prolong them, and by their pro
longation to bring about others.
A chronic condition Of Ill health
has been brought about in many
an instance by thinking or talk
ing ABOUT II TOO mucu
Christian Scientists will of cours
notice that the reference to- Christia
Science is kindly and that 1t is NJ
intended to do more than superficial
" to call attention to the fact tbs
Christian Scientists ar
not guilty OF the practice agains
which protest Is made. Unfortunate
ly, however, 1t must be admitted tbs
there are some who are not a
thoughtful In this regard as the
might be, and ii is largely TO thes
that the spirit OF the bylaw Articl
VIII, Section ~, Of the Manual ca
be commended In thi
bylaw It is directed that testimonial
given at the Wednesday evenin
and those which appear
the periodicals shall not include
description Of symptoms or of su
fering,- and the reason for this pr,
hibition Is apparent to those who ar
at all familiar with the unopposed a
ton OF fear.
It must not be forgotten howeve
hat many who afterward becon
Christian Scientists receive their fir
to this subject, either d
rectly or indirectly. through convers
lion. and II is essential that the fes
which has so largely contributed I
heir sickness and distress should n,
be catered TO or augmented by the r
hearsal OF what has been proved TO /
but the false belief of mortality Mr.
EDDY has said that fear creates III
mage Of disease and its consequer
In the body" (ScienC
and Health, p. 154). She says % All
Always begin your treatment by a
aging the fear of patients. I If yo
succeed in wholly removing the fea
your patient Is healea"
II is but a poor return for the bles
ngs received by any Of us that W
should put stumbling blocks in the wa
II those who have not yet had I'll
which will enable thel
quickly 70 free themselves from fea
More often than not the error Is voice
n complete ignorance OF the effec
out the ofsense IL none the less cul
ible. Even II the motive IN recallin
past ills is a desire 70 be helpful, n
rood purpose is served by the relatio
" harsssing details Many peopI
ire 90 susceptible TO influences OF tn
lind that merely reading or listenin
10 . vivid description OF distressin
lilmert or condition Is enough to etc
he picture as with gravers to-
inon the consciousness. there 10 Re
'er until sooner or later Il is NANTES
"a In or on the body.