Demonstration ELLA W. HOAG, CSD          Every Christian Scientist is vitally interested in the subject of demonstration. Nothing can be of greater importance to him than to understand how to apply the truth which the Christian Science textbooks reveal. He starts out with the recognition that in Christian Science he has a perfect Science, but he also quickly becomes aware of the fact that it is only as he demonstrates it, or in other words, puts its rules into practice, that it can be of any advantage to him. Now there is a vast difference between repeating the rules and putting them into practice, and it is right here that students of Christian Science need to differentiate. The Bible and all of Mrs. Eddy's writings contain a great number of rules, and these rules hold their own very important place in the practice of Christian Science, for without definite rules there would be no method of demonstration.          Take for example the very familiar paragraph in Science and Health (p. 495) beginning, "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea." This paragraph contains several definite rules, which tell one specifically what he is to do under certain circumstances in order to bring about certain results. There is probably no one who pretends to be a Christian Scientist who has not repeated this paragraph scores of times. One sees very quickly that it is made up of rules, and then he may jump to the conclusion that the words have of themselves a demonstrative efficacy and that by repetition of them over and over again the desired result will be effected.          To cling to the mere words and to them alone is simply to cling to the letter, which Paul tells us "killeth." A little clear thinking shows us why this is so, — because it is giving power to the form and not to the substance. It is the truth the words stand for which is the power, and it takes more than a mere repetition of words to bring their substance into realization. It is at this point we must watch lest we break the third commandment. We are told not to take the name of the Lord our God in vain, and when we use the words of Truth simply as a formula are we not using vainly the thoughts of holy Mind?          Suppose one says: I have thought earnestly about what the words mean; surely that is all that is necessary to have them produce the right effects. But is it? There is no doubt that it is important both to accept the rule as a rule and to understand clearly what the statement of the rule implies. There is, however, one thing more to be done, — the putting of the rule into practice. One might recognize that he must "cling steadfastly to God and His idea;" he might also understand theoretically what "to cling" and what "God and His idea" mean, but there would still remain the necessity of using this understanding before the demonstration would be complete. Every demonstration in Christian Science, from the least to the greatest, therefore includes the accepting of a rule, the clear understanding of the rule, and then the putting of it definitely into operation.          When we understand that these are all primarily mental processes, that they can all be resolved into clear, intelligent reflection of the divine Mind, we see how important it is to be constantly watchful that we are never content with doing our mental work in a slipshod fashion. Instead we should aim to express only divine intelligence in every least mental activity, whether it be in demonstrating over the smallest claim of error or its largest. If we learn to think with divine intelligence in the lesser problems, the solution of the greater ones will be proved possible with ever increasing assurance. This does not in any way contradict the necessity of obeying Paul's injunction to "affirm constantly" these things, and that of our beloved Leader (Science and Health, p. 261) to "hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true." On the contrary, it is only a plea for a more insistent, intelligent, and comprehensive declaration of the truths of immortal Mind.          The mental suggestion to a Christian Scientist that he does not know how to demonstrate Christian Science, is certainly one which all too frequently presents itself, and it is a very stupid lie. One would think the lie would hide abashed before its own foolishness were it not for the greater foolishness which Christian Scientists show in listening to it and allowing it to hinder them in the glorious work of casting out error with Truth and thereby healing the sick. One can see that to defend himself against such evil suggestion he must proceed to cast out of his consciousness the selfishness which would claim an unwillingness to work hard enough and long enough to prove that he possesses the understanding of Truth which destroys error; he must cast out the doubt which would always say that Truth is not demonstrable by every individual; he must refuse to cherish the fear which would argue failure. By eliminating the beliefs which argue a mind and a power apart from God, divine Mind, he will gain the freedom to express the perfect will of God. Then he will find that nothing is impossible to the Christian Scientist who lays hold of the faith and love which are willing to persevere to the point of proving, that "the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."          So let us discern with great clearness that demonstration is the necessity of confronting every problem in life with the recognition that it must be worked out scientifically. We must think! The world needs our right thinking, and how can we prove ourselves the image and likeness of the one infinite Mind unless we are expressing, reflecting, this Mind in correct thinking on every subject? Right thinking lived is demonstration. It is thus that we shall prove our God-given dominion over every claim of false belief, which embraces all the claims of evil. Nothing is impossible to the one who reflects divine Mind. While this is the high goal which we keep ever before us, we will also do well to consider what our Leader tells us in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 359), "The way is absolute divine Science: walk ye in it; but remember that Science is demonstrated by degrees, and our demonstration rises only as we rise in the scale of being."   "Demonstration" by Ella W. Hoag, CSD Christian Science Sentinel, August 2, 1919

 

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