A CERTAIN strong proof of the healing power of Truth, without treatment being asked or given, brought to the writer a clearer vision of the way in which Truth establishes its own activity when the personal element or thought is subordinated to it. It also aroused various questions as to why healing in some cases is not more quickly brought about.
One question often asked by practitioners, as well as patients, is why one person seeking healing in Christian Science responds quickly, while the same truth applied in another case may seem to fail of its fulfillment. Certainly faith plays a large part in the thinking of both the patient and the practitioner. Frequently it is said that a patient lacks receptivity. Yet when we think of the healing works of the Master, which every earnest worker longs to approximate, we seem to find accomplishment through the statements of absolute truth often regardless of the attitude of the thought of the seeker. This shows the difference between knowing and believing. Jesus knew Truth and he saw the truth about every person or condition confronting him. It is true that the Word of God is quick, that "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 13), but the mere repetition of words does not heal.
Jesus' vision was of the Christ, or perfect man, and this opened his eyes to the unreality of externals, by which he warned his followers not to judge. If one is seeking to eradicate disease, one cannot possibly look upon a discordant manifestation as something, and then seek to destroy it while admitting its actuality. However earnestly Truth may be declared, this method fails of achievement.
