Editorial June 8, 1907 Issue

THINKERS

Annie M. Knott

One of the first statements in our text-book is this: "The time for thinkers has come" (Science and Health, Pref. p. vii.). Some who read these words may say that there have been thinkers in all ages, which is doubtless true, else would mankind have gone backward rather than forward, since all progress is dependent upon right thinking. These words of our Leader may therefore be taken as a call to every one to think for himself, to recognize the source of intelligence, and to realize man's possibilities when reflecting God,—divine Mind. Thought-processes in Christian Science are of necessity different from those to which we were accustomed in the past, and to which we might apply the Scripture statement: "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." If our thinking in the past had really brought us "nigh unto God," we had thus found peace of mind as well as rescue from both sin and sickness.

Mrs. Eddy outlines the work of Christian Science when she says, "It lifts the veil of mystery from Soul and body. It shows the scientific relation of man to God, disentangles the interlaced ambiguities of being, and sets free the imprisoned thought" (Science and Health, p. 114). The student of Christian Science sets about finding out how this is accomplished, and he can best do so by diligent study of the literature of this Science and by the demonstration of the truths it teaches. Christian Science reveals the divine Principle of being, and the student who is wise keeps close to Principle, so that the Bible as well as all the phenomena of existence may be rightly interpreted for him. He will think well before seeking another's views or giving expression to his own, seeing, as he must, that unenlightened human opinion has been so largely responsible for the mistakes and sufferings of mankind.

To illustrate: Some one asks what Christian Science teaches respecting the sufferings of Jesus Christ, as if this question could be disposed of in a few words. Our Leader would say that this sacred subject can only be approached as we take off our shoes and bow our heads in lowly reverence, and thus does she draw near to it in that wonderful chapter in Science and Health, "Atonement and Eucharist." No one can study this chapter without being a better man and a better Christian, whatever his religious affiliations; for he will learn therefrom what it means and what it costs to follow Christ.

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THE FRAGRANT LIFE
June 8, 1907
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