NOT a little is heard in these days concerning the preservation of health and its restoration should it be impaired. Indeed, there is probably no field in which theory is so active as in this; and for the reason that health is such a desirable asset, not only for the carrying on of those activities which humanity deems necessary for its existence, but also for the enjoyment of life. Great numbers of people today are in search of health, in search of something which will restore their strength, their vitality; and not a few of them would gladly barter all their material possessions to secure it.
The Christian Scientist, like every other rational person, has a keen regard for good health; but he differs from many as to the means of preserving it or of restoring it. For example, the Christian Scientist is not a believer in material methods of treating disease. He does not acknowledge that drugs are remedial; rather is he convinced that the way of maintaining or restoring health is through spiritual means. The great majority of Christian Scientists have proved the healing power of spiritual understanding in their own experience, in many cases after material remedies have been tried in vain. So, when they refer to their healing experience they are speaking of that of which they are certain; and when they refer to the way in which the healings were brought about they are not speaking of methods which they no longer use, but they are referring to a far more reliable method, that of spiritual understanding.
Consider how health is regarded in Christian Science. This Science declares that health is the normal condition of man. It shows, even as does the Bible, that man is the image or likeness of God, and that since God is perfect Mind or Spirit, in whom is no trace of inharmony, man—the real man—is perfectly harmonious. Thus, in true being harmony or health alone is real. Moreover, since God is omnipotent—infinite in power—man by reflection manifests unlimited power or strength. These are absolute truths; and no reasoning based on a material sense of things can possibly reverse them.
What, then, of that which is called ill health, with its numerous disabilities such as incapacity and weakness? How is it to be accounted for? Christian Science unhesitatingly replies that ill health or sickness is a product of materiality, belief that matter is real and that material law, so called, governs or controls man. With their thoughts centered on matter as real and substantial, mortals believe that life has a material origin and is sustained materially; and this ignorance of true spiritual being of necessity induces that of which they are afraid—disease. Furthermore, their belief in matter as real and their ignorance of true spiritual being lead to sensuous self-indulgence, or sin, with the inevitable result—disease.
Now, since the belief in matter as real results in ill health and loss of strength, it is obvious that the belief must give place to spiritual understanding, to the knowledge of spiritual truth, in order that health and strength may be restored. Writing on page 162 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says: "Christian Science brings to the body the sunlight of Truth, which invigorates and purifies. Christian Science acts as an alterative, neutralizing error with Truth. It changes the secretions, expels humors, dissolves tumors, relaxes rigid muscles, restores carious bones to soundness." Christian Science has been proved capable of doing all these things, through the spiritualized consciousness which its teaching induces. Healings such as those recounted by Mrs. Eddy may seem miraculous to those not instructed in Christian Science; but they are not so to the Christian Scientist, who knows that they are the divinely natural result of an understanding of real being.
Christian Science invites everybody to make an examination of its teaching, not in a prejudiced manner, but with an open mind and a sincere desire to arrive at the truth. And this is certain—no one can fail to demonstrate the truth Christian Science clearly reveals, once he understands it. With his first demonstrations of the power of Truth over error—sin, disease, lack, or any other form of inharmony—he will be strongly impelled to continue his study in order to know more of the truth, and so to gain in spirituality and strength. Mrs. Eddy says on page 130 of "Miscellaneous Writings," "Know ye not that he who exercises the largest charity, and waits on God, renews his strength, and is exalted?" Reliance on Truth and the reflection of divine Love ensure the renewal of health and strength, and that spiritual exaltation which raises one above the material and temporal.
There is a belief which preys on the vitality of mortals—the belief that disease can destroy life. How is this error to be met and overcome? By realizing, as Christian Science teaches, that God is infinite Life, and that man reflects this Life now and will do so eternally. The Life of man is God; therefore man can never lose his life, can never die. Our Leader writes (Science and Health, p. 426), "When it is learned that disease cannot destroy life, and that mortals are not saved from sin or sickness by death, this understanding will quicken into newness of life."
In the fortieth chapter of Isaiah occur the words, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." How spiritually wise was this prophet of Israel! Christian Science teaches its followers how to "wait upon the Lord," by giving them an understanding of God and His creation, man, and inspiring them with whole-hearted faith in what they understand.
It were well that seekers for health and strength should turn to God for help, not blindly but understandingly. This they will learn to do by becoming students of Christian Science. The days are upon us when the sunshine and the shade and the open spaces invite us to enjoy them. May we remember that while these may cheer and bless by their symbolism, the solution of the problem of ill health and weakness lies not along the line of material thinking, but through enlightened thought—thought illumined and inspired by the understanding of God and the real man.
