Editorial March 14, 1903 Issue

Wanted—A Practical Religion

It is more and more apparent that the world is not satisfied with time-worn platitudes, but is demanding a religion adapted to its daily need, a religion which is removed as far as possible from purely perfunctory preaching. This demand is well set forth in the following extracts from a recent editorial in the Boston Transcript:—

"In these days, more than ever before, the clergy are teaching that religion is life, not a vague mysticism to be treated objectively and speculatively one day in the week. . . Preaching the gospel is worse than profitless unless it is preached in a manner to meet the needs of men and women who are living to-day. When that is done it becomes a vitalized gospel and carries a meaning."

Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them," and urged upon his followers the necessity for practical proof of the faith that was in them. His was not a ministry of mere words pointing to a far-off and uncertain benefit to be derived from present toil, privation, and suffering. He "went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." In exact accord with the preaching and practice of Jesus are the words of Mrs. Eddy: "The best sermon ever preached is the practice of Truth, and the demonstration thereof, through the destruction of sin, sickness, and death" (Science and Health, p. 201). Jesus preached and practised a religion suited to the immediate needs of all. So practical was it, that his faithful followers were able to demonstrate its Principle, so simple that it appealed effectively to the masses. And it is because Christian Scientists are making more earnest efforts to follow Jesus' example that their religion is supplying the wants of humanity, and their number is growing so rapidly.

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