Health Contagious ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD          The belief that evil is contagious is firmly rooted in the thought of most people, whether it relates to moral or physical conditions. There are of course many theories as to so-called contagious diseases, but all are based upon the supposition that disease is an entity, expressing itself through well-defined laws, both in acute and chronic ailments. It is therefore held to be positive, not merely negative.          It is hardly necessary to explain that Christian Science rejects this supposition, on the ground that disease is no part of man's being, even when humanly considered. At most it can only be regarded as a negation, and it is thus dealt with in Christian Science. The strange thing is that disease has been assigned more power by general belief than has health, for whoever heard of bringing a well person into proximity with a sick one for the benefit of the latter? On the contrary, it is almost universally believed that disease is communicable and that health is never so, from which point of view disease would be positive and health negative.          Long ago Christ Jesus said, "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Christian Scientists strive to follow the Christ-teaching so closely that the darkness of sin and disease can never encompass them. Through the teachings of their inspired Leader, Mrs. Eddy, they are daily proving for themselves that evil has no principle, that like darkness it does not radiate from a given center, and that it has neither intelligence nor power to communicate itself to any one. Even a child knows that darkness cannot be carried into a lighted room, but that light can instantaneously dispel darkness, and when the light appears it is not necessary to dispose of the darkness in any way. This may be said to explain in a simple yet conclusive way the healing work of Christ Jesus, as when he touched the lepers and healed them, proving that in the presence of spiritual law, the widely held belief in contagion was inoperative, and spiritual law, like its divine source, is "from everlasting to everlasting."          He who believes that his health depends upon material conditions would have nothing worth communicating. He might seem a picture of health, yet be a veritable slave to the fear that disease might attack him at any time, either through the asserted law of contagion, of heredity, or through some other channel of mortal belief. Such an one could not say, as did Peter to the lame man at the "Beautiful" gate, "Such as I have give I thee: . . . rise up and walk." The apostles were rich in having an understanding of the Life which is eternally "the light of men," and when their understanding of this light was turned upon the afflicted, they were healed. In Christian Science we learn that health, like light, "is a symbol of Mind, of Life, Truth, and Love, and not a vitalizing property of matter" (Science and Health, p.510). Without the understanding of this fact one can neither protect himself from disease nor heal others; yet Jesus said of his true followers, "Ye are the light of the world."          The health which is subject to disease would be of no value to another, even if it could be transmitted, but that which springs from the understanding of Truth and Love communicates itself spontaneously, and none can tell how far it may reach. Mortal mind holds this to be true of what it terms contagious diseases, which are propagated by mortal belief; but the "saving health" of which the psalmist wrote, grows out of the true understanding of God and man, and it spreads as when one candle is lighted by another. If we would make health contagious, we must radiate the light of Truth and Love, with its insistent demand for purity and its rich fruitage of fearlessness and faith. These words of an old hymn tell us what would happen if all were to let this light shine: — How all the dark places would brighten, How the mists would roll up and away! How the earth would laugh out in her gladness, To hail the millennial day!   "Health Contagious" by Annie M. Knott, CSD Christian Science Sentinel

 

| Home | Library |

Copyright © 1996-2006 CSEC