Available Christianity

As the world learns more of Christian Science, learns that it is Apostolic Christianity, it will realize, as have Christian Scientists, that the healing of sickness is but incidental to this present knowledge of God, which saves unto the uttermost, even as it was in Jesus' time. Then we shall see the end of the prevalent misconception of Christian Science, which regards it as simply a means or method of healing sickness without the use of drugs or other material remedies. When this is understood by those who are at present under a misapprehension of the all and ultimate of Christian Science, they will know what is meant by Christian Scientists when they declare that their religion is of practical use and value to them in the affairs of every-day life.

Jesus' sayings to some whom he healed show that to him sickness and sin were equally abnormal, and he healed both on the same basis. This he made especially clear in his rebuke to the Pharisees, "What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house."

The cure of envy, jealousy, hatred, revenge, and all the "works of the flesh" enumerated by St. Paul in his epistle to the Galatians, is just as much the field of Christian Science labor as is the cure of disease, the difference in practice, however, being that the sick are anxious to be healed while the sinner is unwilling to abandon his sinful habits so long as he believes that they contribute to his pleasure.

One of the denominational tenets, formulated by Mrs. Eddy, to which Christian Scientists have subscribed is: "We solemnly promise to strive, watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to love one another; and to be meek, merciful, just, and pure" (Science and Health. p. 497).

This promise is not for special and particular occasions, but is for all time and all circumstances. The person who constantly and prayerfully desires to have in him that Mind which was in Christ Jesus and thus love his fellow-men, and to manifest the virtues of meekness, mercy, justice, and purity, cannot help but escape the entanglements and irritating incidents of the ordinary business, professional, or social life.

The right understanding of God and His universe, revealed in Christian Science, heals the sick, quenches the desire for sin and its supposed pleasures, and logically saves mankind from all that seems to beget dishonesty, malice, resentment, and revenge. With these evils eliminated from daily life, the pursuits which engage the attention of humanity are freed from the disappointments which make up so much of human experience.

It will be admitted by every thoughtful person that when the desire to deal justly and generously with all becomes universal, injustice and avarice will be unknown; and as humanity conforms to the code of morals which Jesus taught, the ideal state of society will be ushered in.

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