Article April 28, 1906 Issue

Christian Science as Common Sense

W. D. MC CRACKAN, M. A.

Whosoever imagines that because Christian Science is metaphysical, it can be understood only by those who have special intellectual gifts, altogether mistakes its nature. Such an one is harboring a false sense of Christian Science, and is liable to deprive himself of the great benefits which are readily accessible to every sincere seeker for Truth.

Practical tests prove Christian Science to be just what its name implies, the Science of Christianity, and its terms and definitions become luminous with meaning in the light of its practice, in the course of its actual application to daily needs. It is not set apart for a favored few. It does not inculcate nor favor intellectual pride, but on the contrary undermines and then brushes aside this stumbling-block to the finding of the straight and narrow path of righteousness or right thinking. Christian Science is for all who will admit the existence of its Principle, God, and follow its rules. In contradistinction to the involved and incomprehensible hypotheses of materialism and of sterile philosophy, Christian Science stands for straightforward and provable spiritual truth and is the essence of common sense.

In order that any science may possess value in human experience it must not be mysterious, loaded down with questionable terms or with definitions that do not define. Especially is it imperative that it be demonstrable. Now the right of Christian Science to the name of science is founded upon the simplicity of its statement, and upon its definite results, which may be observed of all men, in the mental, moral, and physical regeneration of mankind. As a matter of fact Christian Science, though radical, is clear to all who desire to understand it. Its teachings may be learned and practised by children. It is for daily use in all manner of contingencies, and it has commended itself to hundreds of thousands of persons in every walk of life, and hence is winning adherents at a rate which has been described by observers as phenomenal. One of its chief merits is that it divests Christianity of the mystery and superstition which ages of merely theoretical or doctrinal theology have superimposed upon it; and that it supplies the key to the true healing for which those who have endeavored to help mankind in its physical dis-ease, have so long sought. Hence Christian Science is common sense both from a religious and a therapeutic standpoint. Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and the author of its text-book, has stated conclusively: "If Christianity is not scientific, and Science is not of God, then there is no invariable rule,and truth becomes an accident" (Science and Health, p. 342).

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