Article February 15, 1908 Issue

EXAMPLE BETTER THAN ARGUMENT

SAMUEL GREENWOOD

It is evident that a better state of things than now prevails is needed before mankind can enjoy the blessings promised to the righteous. The kingdom of God must come in human thought before the belief in the reign of evil, which now seems to hold sway over mankind, can be destroyed. But though all are united as to the need of human redemption, there is a wide difference of opinion as to the means and time of its accomplishment, and much valuable time is spent arguing and disputing over these various theories and beliefs, while the world goes on in its sin and suffering. The pressing need is that humanity be shown the way out of evil, and not be vexed with conflicting theories which afford no practical aid in that direction.

Mortals are prone to controversy because of their divergent views, and especially in the matter of religion. They resort to battles of words in defending their beliefs, instead of proving the truth or error of their position by actual test. However logical one's theory from a given premise, this is not sufficient of itself to establish its correctness, whereas its results in actual practice are beyond dispute. In view of this palpable fact it is somewhat strange that men do not decide their doctrinal differences by an appeal to demonstration rather than by argument and debate. If one's belief is not capable of present proof, at least to some reasonable extent, it is too problematic to be of much real service in the stress and struggle of human life.

Turning to Christian Science, one frequently hears of those who have been led to investigation and accept this teaching because of their observation of the lives of Christian Scientists. What they had seen of the influence of Christian Science upon their every-day life proved more convincing to them than a thousand arguments without that example could have done. What better thing could be said of us as Christians than that our practice of the truths we profess to believe is such as to compel the needy wanderers in the highways and by-ways of earth to heed the call of the Christ?

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