Page:Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1906).djvu/381

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Christian Science Practice
365

brusque business visitor sympathetically know the thorns they plant in the pillow of the sick and the heavenly Compassion requisite homesick looking away from earth, — Oh, did they know! — this knowledge would do much more towards healing the sick and preparing their helpers for the “midnight call,” than all cries of “Lord, Lord!” The benign thought of Jesus, finding utterance in such words as “Take no thought for your life,” would heal the sick, and so enable them to rise above the supposed necessity for physical thought-taking and doctoring; but if the unselfish affections be lacking, and common sense and common humanity are disregarded, what mental quality remains, with which to evoke healing from the outstretched arm of righteousness?

If the Scientist reaches his patient through divine Love, the healing work will be accomplished at one Speedy healing visit, and the disease will vanish into its native nothingness like dew before the morning sunshine. If the Scientist has enough Christly affection to win his own pardon, and such commendation as the Magdalen gained from Jesus, then he is Christian enough to practise scientifically and deal with his patients compassionately; and the result will correspond with the spiritual intent.

If hypocrisy, stolidity, inhumanity, or vice finds its way into the chambers of disease through the would-be Truth desecrated healer, it would, if it were possible, convert into a den of thieves the temple of the Holy Ghost, — the patient's spiritual power to resuscitate himself. The unchristian practitioner is not giving to mind or body the joy and strength of Truth. The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace,