Editorial February 27, 1904 Issue

The Corner-Stone

With the lapse of time many of the objections which were raised against Christian Science in the earlier days of its history have, one by one, been withdrawn. Those who are disposed to be fair, are admitting that it is a statement of religion which gives a reasonable postulate of the nature of God and a consistent consistent explanation of man's relation to Him. It is easy for all to accept a declaration of the justice, impartiality, and mercy of God; for the advanced thought sees that these attributes are inseparable from an intelligent concept of the Supreme Being. There are, however, many who refuse to take the next step and admit that the right conception of God leads inevitably to the demonstration of Truth in the healing of the sick; indeed, it seems that there would now be little objection to Christian Science if this vital doctrine were not insisted upon.

After our enlightenment through the study of Science and Health, we wonder at our quondam blindness to the unequivocal teaching of the Bible on this subject. We find the great Teacher giving it constant emphasis as in his memorable discourses in the Temple after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He then quoted from the 118th Psalm, which contains a dramatic narration of the experience of one who "called upon God in distress" and was healed. This man goes up to the Temple to offer sacrifice and thanksgiving, and this is his song as he approaches the entrance, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.... The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner." The Master cited this passage when the priests and elders demanded his authority for the healing and teaching which he was then doing, and he added, "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."

When Peter and John were brought before these same dignitaries charged with the offence of healing a man lame from his birth, Peter boldly maintained that it was the Christ-power which had healed the man, and said, "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner;" and he added, "Neither is there salvation in any other." The helpless cripple could find no other salvation save this, and his presence there was the only endorsement Peter needed, for when they saw him standing by the apstles, "They could say nothing against it."

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