The word "demonstration" is perhaps more frequently used by Christian Scientists than any other, and sometimes, it must be assumed, without any very clear understanding of its meaning. In no other one thing has our Leader been more insistent, both by precept and example, than in the accurate use of words, realizing, no doubt, that inaccuracy implies lack of true understanding, and that such lack in its turn will probably result in a misapprehension, or possibly in a misuse of that quality or function which the word is meant to express.
The verb "to demonstrate" means to bring into manifestation. For instance, a chemist in his experimental work demonstrates, or brings into manifestation, the action and reaction of certain gases or chemicals upon each other, the result being a demonstration of certain basic laws of chemical actions and properties. To be strictly accurate, it would not be right to speak of the chemist's results as demonstrations merely; they are in demonstration of what are commonly called chemical laws.
It may be said in the same way that a mathematician demonstrates the result of mathematical laws and rules, but the problem when it is worked out is not in itself a demonstration, or rather, this is not a correct definition, for the solution of the problem really brings into ocular demonstration the action of certain underlying mathematical laws. Thus, also, to heal disease, or to overcome sin or fear through Christian Science, is to bring into ocular demonstration the action of that divine law which operates unseen to the so-called physical senses. It is not strictly accurate to speak of the result as a demonstration merely, as is the common custom among Christian Scientists. It is a demonstration of the unseen spiritual law and power. This is in accord with Mrs. Eddy's statement (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 6): "The Science of Mind-healing is best understood in practical demonstration. The proof of what you apprehend, in the simplest definite and absolute form of healing, can alone answer this question of how much you understand of Christian Science Mind-healing . . . the simplest case, healed in Science, is as demonstrably scientific, in a small degree, as the most difficult case so treated."
