Perhaps no feature of the teaching of Christian Science arouses so much interest on the part of the beginner as that which relates to the unreality of matter. Many are only too glad to believe what Christian Science has to say about the loving purpose of our heavenly Father to send nothing but good to His children. They are eager to accept the beneficent doctrine that pain and sorrow and sin are not eternal, and that God's laws, properly understood, will free man from these evils. But they are not able, at once, to compass the profounder statement that evil, matter, and the so-called physical world, or sensation world, are illusions. This statement is nevertheless scientifically true. It is fundamental, and underlies all the practice of Christian Science. We may be willing to believe in God's goodness, but the belief in that which is not good can be rendered powerless only by clearly and logically comprehending its true nature. That which distinguishes Christian Science from every other contribution to the world's peace, is its definite and precise teaching as to the unreality of matter and all that accompanies material existence. It will be seen, then, how necessary it is to comprehend this seemingly abstruse teaching before we can make practical the more readily comprehended affirmations of Christian Science that have to do with health and freedom.
The Christian Science text-book, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, refers to the superstition regarding ghosts, to illustrate the metaphysical treatment of the illusive and unreal nature of matter, disease, and sin. If we study this comparison, we shall see its aptness, and find that it suggests many thoughts which enable us to grasp the profound teaching relative to the nothingness of sickness and sin.
Children are sometimes taught by parents or nurses that there is a ghost in the next room, and that, unless they behave and don't bother, this ghost will come out and punish them in some way. Such mistaken teaching is deplorable, and seldom, if ever, serves its purpose, which is to quiet the child and secure obedience. The usual result is that a sensitive child suffers agonies of mental torment. Fear besets him, day and night. He is not normal mentally and suffers physically. To the child who is in this perturbed physical and mental state, comes one who, because of experience and enlightenment, knows that ghosts are not real. This friend says to him, "Little one, there are no ghosts. Your suffering is unnatural, and I want to help you to understand this so thoroughly that you will never fear again. Come with me into this dark room, and we will see for ourselves that your fears are groundless." Timidly he takes your hand, and you lead the trembling little figure into the mysterious darkness where the personification of evil is supposed to lurk. The first thing you do is to turn on the light. In its clear radiance, all things are seen to have their natural proportions and character, and the dreaded thing is discovered to be—not there. You have proved to the child that there is no ghost, and he is healed. His fear departs, and with it, the effects of fear, physical discords.
