GIVES REASONS FOR HIS FAITH

W. L. Swan

The Westerly (R. I.) Sun

Some time since The Sun contained an anonymous communication asking me to define just what was the distinctive Principle of Christian Science. While appreciating the kindly spirit of the article, I felt that a reply might open the door for numerous anonymous letters, and precipitate a religious controversy, the fruit of which I believe would not be good. Nevertheless so many since that time have privately repeated the request, and have said that a great many of my friends desired to know what I considered that fundamental Principle which distinguishes Christian Science from other denominational beliefs, that I ask you to please insert the following statement.

I have decided to identify myself with the Christian Science movement because I believe it is destined to be a great blessing to humanity. The distinguishing doctrine of the Christian Science denomination is the Scriptural teaching that God "is All in all," and "there is none else beside him;" that there is "one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." The fundamental premise underlying the great commission given by Christ is "all power is given unto me, in heaven and in earth." The Father gave to him "the fulness of him that filleth all in all." John said of the Word, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." God made all and pronounced it good. Good never becomes evil, as gold is never changed into dross. Therefore evil can have no creator. It is not eternal. It is negative nothingness, as darkness when contrasted with light. In the presence of light, darkness becomes absolutely non-existent. In the presence of truth, a lie becomes non-existent. It has no foundation in fact, and so no real creator. Drunkards declare that when they see clearly the truth that God is All in all, and that man is His spiritual offspring, offspring, their appetite leaves them, never to trouble them again. It no longer has any seeming existence even.

In proportion as this truth is understood and applied, sin, disease, and death disappear before it as darkness before the rising sun. The proof that this is true is that many have tested it from all parts of the world. Their testimonies are constantly appearing in the Christian Science Sentinel and Journal, two of the periodicals of the Christian Science denomination. The name and address of the persons healed is given, and investigation is invited. A large number of similar testimonies are given at the regular Wednesday evening testimony meetings of the denomination that are being held all over the world. In almost every instance thanksgiving is rendered to God for blessed spiritual experience that has come with the healings.

This Principle works according to an unerring law, and so is scientific. The results are the same as accomplished by Jesus Christ; therefore it is Christian. That one fails to heal a patient at once does not prove the Principle untrue, any more than it proves the basic law underlying mathematics untrue because it takes a long time to solve a certain problem; or because one fails altogether in its solution. Hundreds of others are testing this law and demonstrating its truth.

In the Baptist church I learned to trust God, and believe that He is an ever-present help in time of trouble. Christian Science has shown me how and why God is an everpresent help in trouble, and has therefore increased and strengthened my faith and trust in God. In the Baptist church I learned that Jesus came to save the world. I accepted him as "the way, the truth, and the life." I accepted his good work as the proof of what may be accomplished by infinite faith in God. Christian Science has shown me how Jesus did his mighty works, and how we may follow in his footsteps and verify his promise, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also."

(Rev.) W. L. Swan.
The Westerly (R. I.) Sun.

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