THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

REV. CHARLES D. REYNOLDS.

Authorities agree that the term evangelical means literally, "according to the gospel." Etymologically the word evangelist means good-messenger, a bringer of good tidings from God; hence those who accept these good tidings are evangelical believers. In the widest sense the Bible is the true evangel. Sometimes the writers of the four Gospels are called the evangelists, and from the first all Protestants styled themselves evangelical, because they claimed that their tenets were derived solely from the Bible.

To the question, Is Christian Science evangelical? we may pertinently quote from our Leader's words. She says (Science and Health, p. 110), "In following these leadings of scientific revelation, the Bible was my only text-book." It thus appears that in her teaching Mrs. Eddy rested upon the same authority as did the founders of Protestantism, and with the outcome that she was led to perceive the same great truths as did they. With regard to the total depravity of mortals, the necessity of turning toward and relying upon God for deliverance, the great need of faith and practical works as the evidence and means of being justified before God, the free and universal applicability to all mankind of the life and teachings of Christ Jesus,— all these tenets accepted by the churches calling themselves evangelical are fully covered by the churches calling themselves are fully covered by the teachings of Christian Science.

There is not an article in the Apostles' Creed, which is the common bond of union between the evangelical churches, that, spiritually understood, the teaching of Christian Science does not include. It declares that there one God, the infinite Father of all; that the Christ is the only begotten Son of God; it accepts the immaculate conception of Christ Jesus; it recognizes the significance of his sufferings, crucifixion, death and burial, his ascension and exaltation at the right hand of the Father. Furthermore, Christian Science explains the coming of the Christ to judge the quick and the dead, it reveals the nature and meaning of the "holy catholic church," the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

If in more recent times the name evangelical has come to signify that which is sound in doctrine and practice, and synonymous with the word orthodox. Christian Science is not a whit behind in its claim to the same position, since it includes all that is claimed by those naming themselves evangelical. Christian Science goes farther, and declares that to be truly evangelical all believers must follow strictly the life and teachings of Christ Jesus in their wholeness, and the practice of the apostles and disciples, who when they were sent forth as missionary workers received the Great Commission direct from the lips of the Master himself; "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he also," "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils,"

If evangelical means "according to the gospel," then Christian Scientists are strictly orthodox and evangelical in their adherence to all that was taught and demanded by the Founder of Christianity. The Christian Science Church relies so implicitly upon strict adherence to the Scriptures that its works of physical healing and moral regeneration stand as witnesses before the whole world that we have not departed either from the letter or the practice of evangelic truth.

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