Article September 22, 1923 Issue

The United States statistics alone for 1920 show two...

S. Britton R. Foster, Committee on Publication for the Province of Ontario, Canada,—London

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The United States statistics alone for 1920 show two hundred and two religious denominations based on different interpretations of the Bible. Truly "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life"! Christian Scientists endeavor to find the spiritual signification of the Bible message, and make this teaching practical in daily living. For example, the seven churches which were in Asia exemplify seven types or conditions of thought, irrespective of geographical location or time. The church in Thyatira would seem to indicate a type of thought suffering from a seemingly insistent belief of pleasure in material things, lust for worldly gain, and sensuality, which, of course, bring suffering, because they are the opposites of spiritual attraction and attainments. "He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth"—the One judging these different states of mortal consciousness—is the Christ, "the Spirit of truth," the divine Comforter or Holy Ghost, ever present and ever available to guide and sustain mortals in their spiritual growth. To the type of mortals represented as the church at Philadelphia, the Comforter promised protection in temptation and difficulty,—to those who, with, possibly, limited opportunities, are patient, long-suffering, and persistent in holding to their highest sense of right under great stress of circumstances.

The divine message, "the Spirit of truth," was revealed to the world in its completeness by our great Exemplar, Christ Jesus, and to a lesser extent, by prophet, apostle, and religious leaders up to our own day. As the highest mountain peak catches the first beams of the morning sun, so one who has grown to a spiritual fitness to receive, will receive from divine wisdom and Love, from God, the revelation to help others. Mary Baker Eddy was such a one; and millions love and revere her for being a channel, through "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," for bringing spiritual joy and consequent physical health into the seeming enigma of mortal existence. Women were last at the cross and first at the sepulcher. Is not woman generally acknowledged as reflecting tenderness and love, qualities of God, who is Love? "God is no respecter of persons." Men to-day, by legislation, have conceded to women many equal rights and privileges. The accomplishments of Mary Baker Eddy are all the more outstanding, since they were prior to this reluctant governmental recognition of woman's God-given equality.

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The United States statistics alone for 1920 show two...

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