Article July 18, 1908 Issue

Mrs. Eddy has discerned the spiritual import of the...

Frank W. Gale—San Francisco, Cal.

Emanu-el

Mrs. Eddy has discerned the spiritual import of the Scriptures in regard to God, man, and the universe, which necessarily is contrary to material theories concerning them. To say that "an acceptance of that gospel (Christian Science) involves a repudiation of almost anything the world has hitherto accepted as truth, and the denial of any law by which God Almighty governs the world." is not to convict Christian Science of falsehood. There was a time when all the world believed that the earth was flat and stationary and the sun rose and set, but that theory is now known to be untrue, although the material senses still testify to the alleged fact. The so-called scientific teachings in regard to matter and the constitution of the earth and the universe that were believed for centuries have in recent years been discarded, and new theories are now being adopted that approach very closely the views expressed by Mrs. Eddy over thirty years ago. Instead of "the denial of any law by which God Almighty governs the world," Christian Science emphatically declares that God governs all through law, but as God is Spirit, His law is spiritual and not material.

It is not faith in Euclid that enables one to work out the problems which he elucidated, but faith in and understanding of the truth which he taught. But when the student has mastered the problems through an understanding of this truth which Euclid taught, he is not likely to deny that Euclid ever lived or that he worked out the problems which the student has learned to work out through his teachings. So with Christian Science healing; it is not faith in the personal Jesus that heals, but faith in and understanding of God and His law as taught by Jesus. And when one can prove his faith and understanding by his works, he has no doubt that Jesus lived and healed the sick and sinful as recorded in the Scriptures.

As to the atheist, who, it is said, "can be cured of a boil, or a fever, or an attack of nerves, by wholesome diet and the wise suggestions of a physician," let us see which is the best for him. Under the treatment mentioned, if he recovers he still remains an atheist, depending upon diet and suggestions for his health. If he were healed through the ministrations of Christian Science, he would come to know that God had healed him. He would therefore in all probability not remain an atheist, but learn to depend upon God for his health. Not only the troubles mentioned above, but diseases pronounced incurable by materia medica are being constantly healed through Christian Science, and this not through any "miraculous" interposition of Providence, but in accord with God's spiritual law, which is ever operative and divinely natural. The mighty works of Jesus were done through his understanding of this spiritual law, not "because he was God," for Jesus never made such a claim for himself, but declared himself to be the Son of God. Christian Science does not foster ignorance, for it demands understanding. As it was said of Jesus that he "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man," so Christian Scientists are advancing in the understanding of the great verities of spiritual being, and they find that the Bible and Science and Health are the books best adapted to promote this growth. When so-called miracles are understood to be the natural result of the operation of God's spiritual law, which sets aside so-called material law, the mystery in which these mighty works have been involved will be dispelled, and the true nature of the works established. This does not deny the healing work, but explains it, and enables others in our day to go and do likewise. Christian Scientists do not worship God "through fear of bodily evil," nor "only because He can heal the sick;" but when they gain the true idea of God as Spirit and Love, their fear is destroyed and their sicknesses are healed, and they can then intelligently worship Him "in spirit and in truth." If "religion is judged by its capacity to win men, not to destroy them," then Christian Science should be commended, for it is winning more men to an understanding of God and the demostration of His power than any other religious movement at the present time. Christian Science exalts the perfect God, Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love, and says to mankind in the words of Jesus, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

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