Article October 19, 1907 Issue

OVERFLOWING ABUNDANCE

REV. IRVING C. TOMLINSON, M.A.

Jesus proclaimed abundance for all when he said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Genuine Christianity, therefore, means an affluence of good for all its loyal adherents. The Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," teaches that God is substance; hence, wherever there appears to be poverty in any form, the realization of God as the one and only substance demonstrates abundance and overcomes the sense of lack. It would seem as though poverty was regarded by some people as a Christian virtue, and plenty a worldly vice, but the teaching of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation controverts this belief. The promise of God to those obedient to Him is: "The Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, ... A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack anything in it." When the great Master said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," he emphatically asserted of his followers that good things should be added unto them, not subtracted from them.

Christian Science, in full conformity with the words of Jesus, works by the rule of addition, not subtraction of good. To a multitude it has added abundant health. Sickness is the lack of good; the lack of action. The coming of the truth to the individual establishes harmonious action, and health follows as a natural consequent. Those who understand Christian Science testify that it gives a clearer, fuller understanding of God; and this right knowledge of God results in abundant life, even as Jesus declared when he said, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

When divine Love—God—is understood and His presence realized there is added an abundance of strength. Weakness is the child of fear; and "fear hath torment;" but the Scripture declares: "Perfect love casteth out fear." Our healing gospel teaches us that the one and only power is God. The study of the Bible, illuminated by Science and Health, banishes all weakness and ushers in the eternal day of that strength which is from on high. Then let us "be strong and fear not." Harmony and peace have been added in abundance to a host sorely in need thereof. Discord and disease signify the lack of an understanding of Truth. The real religion of Christianity makes truth abundant to the man of understanding, whereby discord and disease vanish and peace and concord reign. The Master said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." The psalmist sang, "The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

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