THE word "substance" has a very definite meaning to the student of Christian Science, a meaning, however, very different from that which is generally accepted. Ordinarily, matter (so called), that which the physical senses claim to detect and analyze, is looked upon as substance; but these same material senses take no cognizance whatsoever of Spirit, which Christian Science declares to be the only real substance.
Mrs. Eddy goes to the root of the question in her splendid definition of "substance" on page 468 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where she writes: "Substance is that which is eternal and incapable of discord and decay. . . . Spirit, the synonym of Mind, Soul, or God, is the only real substance. The spiritual universe, including individual man, is a compound idea, reflecting the divine substance of Spirit." Words could not be more intelligible: God—Spirit, Soul, Mind —is substance; and God's spiritual universe reflects that substance. But since matter (so called) is unknown to God, infinite Spirit, matter is unreal—no substance.
The fact that Spirit is the only real substance should underlie every thought of the Christian Scientist. Let us consider how it affects him along several lines. First of all, take the healing of the sick, which is such a very important part of his work. The Christian Scientist never starts out primarily to heal a sick or diseased body. Why? Because he knows that in reality there is no substance matter, no material body; that what is called a material body is an image in the so-called carnal mind of mortals; and, further, because he knows that disease is naught but erroneous thought, or false belief, seemingly externalized. What, then, does he do? He realizes the truth about real substance—God, Spirit—and about man, the reflection of God. Christian Science has revealed to him that man, God's image, reflects the substance of Spirit, that which is real or true, permanent, eternal, perfect; and this realization, if clear enough, will destroy the illusion of sickness. In Christian Science treatment the facts of being, of true substance, are substituted for the erroneous concepts of mortal mind; and having the power of omnipotence behind them, these facts destroy the erroneous concepts, healing the sick.
