Article June 22, 1907 Issue

KNIGHTHOOD IN CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

W. D. MC CRACKAN, M.A.

During the age of chivalry a man-at-arms could not become a knight until he had taken an oath to protect the distressed, maintain the right, and live a stainless life. He was a champion of good against the assaults of evil, so far as he understood these terms. The Christian Scientist of to-day, though bound by no oath, is also serving God, good, in a knightly manner, and is called upon for constant proofs of his prowess and generosity.

He is like one of these knights starting on a journey on an errand of mercy and succor, and taking with him a perfect outfit. He knows that his spiritual equipment is designed to meet every need he may experience and to protect him from every attack he may encounter. He rejoices in a sense of good cheer and security, and he is eager and earnest in his desire to test his strength under varying conditions and multifarious circumstances, because he trusts in God's loving care. No wonder he fares forth in a happy mood, even though his way may take him at times through dark forests or across barren deserts. He feels confident that experience will surely develop his aptness in handling the weapons of his warfare. He places complete reliance upon the absolute goodness of God, who will see that he is never tried beyond his powers of endurance, nor tempted without a sufficient understanding of Truth and Love to enable him to resist successfully. The knights of old acted largely upon the measure of reliance they placed in their well-tested weapons and accoutrements. The old Teutonic traditions especially have much to say about the swords of redoubtable warriors. There are anecdotes, songs, and pictures, representing famous knights addressing and acclaiming their trusty swords as loyal friends and good comrades.

If the age of chivalry, with its ideals largely tinctured by false notions, could produce so valiant a loyalty in the heart of a knight towards his sword of steel, surely this new age of spiritual enlightenment must produce a far nobler devotion on the part of the Christian Scientist towards "the sword of the Spirit" which he is privileged to wield. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 595), Mrs. Eddy gives the spiritual definition of the term "sword" as "the idea of Truth; justice." Elsewhere in this same work she writes of "the sword of Science" (p. 266), and "the two-edged sword of Truth" (p. 458). In fact the whole-hearted loyalty of Christian Scientists as a body towards the truth they have been taught, is remarked by many who have no understanding of this truth itself. More fearless than any legendary knight of old, issuing from his castle gate to seek out and destroy the dragon lurking in the neighborhood, must be the Christian Scientist of to-day who purposes to triumph over the great red dragon mentioned in the Apocalypse. Better acquainted and on better terms with the power and temper of his great two-edged sword must he be, than was the ancient warrior expected to be with his material weapon.

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