Article October 19, 1907 Issue

The principal thing that Christian Science teaches and...

Henry Deutsch

St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press

The principal thing that Christian Science teaches and demonstrates is that "God is All" and that "God is Love." The understanding of these propositions and their demonstration by practice heals the sick and reforms the sinner. Christian Science admits that to the sick and suffering the pain and disease are very real, but when through the understanding that "God is All" and that "God is Love," the sickness and suffering cease, they then become nothingness, a proof which is infinitely more potent than would be whole volumes of abstract speculations on the subject. The cure is wrought not simply by "refusing to believe in disease or pain and by believing in God," but by the understanding of God and His relation to man and the universe. What that understanding is cannot be conveyed within the brief paragraph of a newspaper contribution. It is sufficient to say that if your correspondent or readers are suffering from disease or sin, and will conscientiously and earnestly study and apply the Principle and rules of Christian Science,—with the aid of a loyal practitioner if need be,—the answer to the question will come; but it cannot be attained through mere words or human logic.

Neither Christian Scientists nor Mrs. Eddy claim that she stands on a level with Christ Jesus, either as a teacher or otherwise, if by the word "level" you intend to convey the idea of equality. She claims only to have attained to a scientific understanding of the wonderful work and precepts of Jesus, and to the extent of that understanding to make practical application thereof in the healing of the sick and reforming of sinners. Neither Mrs. Eddy nor Christian Scientists attempt any comparison between Science and Health and the Bible. The text-book is founded on the Bible and contains a statement of Mrs. Eddy's understanding of spiritual truth and its application to human need necessary for the practice and demonstration of the words and works of our Master. The understanding of Christian Science can be attained by the earnest, sincere, and conscientious study of its text-book in connection with the Bible, and the application of the teachings thereof by practical demonstration.

To those who are ready to come to it with a spirit of honest investigation and willingness to be taught, Christian Science becomes readily comprehensible. However, like all other sciences and studies that are worthy of the name, Christian Science cannot be attained through any easy "royal road to learning."

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