Thank you for this post. Kimball was giving the same rebuke as did Jesus to the state of thought that would be more concerned with surface appearance than to the things of God. Mrs. Eddy explains this well on page 382 of S&H:
“If half the attention given to hygiene were given to the study of Christian Science and to the spiritualization of thought, this alone would usher in the millennium. Constant bathing and rubbing to alter the secretions or to remove the unhealthy exhalations from the cuticle receive a useful rebuke from Jesus’ precept, ‘Take no thought…for the body.’ We must beware of making clean merely the outside of the platter.”
She then goes on to say, “He, who is ignorant of what is termed hygienic law, is more receptive of spiritual power and of faith in one God, than is the devotee of supposed hygienic law, who comes to teach the so-called ignorant one.”
Here, Mrs. Eddy rebukes not only the washing of hands, but the study of hygiene rather than the study of Christian Science and the spiritualization of thought. Too many are proud of their secular education. Many others worship or admire those who have a PhD or a big house or a fancy car. Jesus, Mrs. Eddy, and Kimball are telling us that is not what matters. In fact, it will impede one’s true education in the right direction. So, don’t be impressed. And don’t waste time studying subjects that aren’t going to be useful in promoting Christ’s Christianity and the spiritualization of thought.