Page:Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.djvu/312

300 in such habits brings, and convincing him that there is no real pleasure in these beliefs. This is one of the most important points in the theology of Christian Science. Awaken the sinner to this true and new sense of sin; show him that sin confers no pleasure; and this knowledge strengthens his moral courage and increases the ability to master evil and to love good.

If it becomes necessary to startle mortal mind, in order to break its dream of suffering, vehemently tell your patient that he must awaken. Turn his gaze from the false evidence of the senses to the harmonious facts of Soul and Immortal Being. Tell him that he suffers only as the insane suffer, from a mere belief. The only difference is that insanity implies belief in a diseased brain, while physical ailments (so called) arise from belief that some other portions of the body are deranged. Derangement, or disarrangement, is a word which conveys the true definition of ill-health, as disturbed harmony.

The entire mortal body is evolved from mortal mind. A bunion would produce insanity as perceptible as that produced by congestion of the brain, were it not that mortal mind calls the bunion an unconscious portion of the body. Reverse this belief, and the results would be different.

If it becomes necessary to startle the mind, in order to remove its fears, afterwards make known to the patient your motive for this shock, showing that it was to facilitate recovery.

If the sick ask about their disease, tell them only what is best for them to know. Assure them that they think too much about their ailments, and have already heard too much on that subject. Turn their thoughts away