"THE physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation. Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, Pref., p. xi). Here we have a profound, enlightening, and encouraging statement of the healing power of Principle! In order to understand and utilize more fully the help it contains, let us look at some of its most important points.
We note that the physical healings accomplished by Christian Science today are of the same nature as those wrought by Jesus in his time. Surely now, and not at some indefinite future time, is when men need and are entitled to release from the bondage of sin, fear, limitation, and disease. Here and now, today, men need God. Their hearts are crying out now for surcease from pain, want, and woe. If God means anything to mankind, at any time, surely now is the time He should mean all. Does not the Bible say, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else"?
We are also told that the healings result from "the operation of divine Principle," which destroys all manner of sin, disease, and evil; also that the healing takes place in human consciousness. How near this brings us to divine Principle and its operation! But, someone may say, just what is "the operation of divine Principle" in human consciousness, and how am I to utilize it? The satisfactory answer to this, as to all questions of importance to mankind, is found in the clear teaching of Christian Science, which makes plain the fact that God, infinite Life, Truth, Love, Mind, Soul, is also divine Principle; and that man, the image and likeness of God, is never separated from his creator, but is at all times and under all circumstances in His presence, completely governed and protected by His eternal law of harmony. Divine Principle must of necessity be intelligent, ever operative, unchangeable, invariable, self-sustaining good, therefore ever present and available.
