Article July 18, 1908 Issue

THE STUDY OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

REV. G. A. KRATZER.

IN acquiring an understanding of Christian Science, it may be first approached as a purely intellectual proposition,—much like knowledge respecting other things. The Co-pernican system of astronomy, for instance, is worked out quite largely as an intellectual proposition, as its teachings do not correspond directly to the evidences of the physical senses. Christian Science is pure metaphysics,—that is, it is above, beyond, and over physics, or that which is visible and material,—and in the experience of the student it does not at the start correspond at all to the so-called physical or sensible world; but if he will study and accept Christian Science as a purely metaphysical science, when he has become firmly established on this metaphysical basis he can use his knowledge to produce visible changes in the so-called physical realm.

Archimedes, when he discovered the basic law of leverage, said, "Give me where I may stand [outside the world], and I will move the world." Christian Science gives us a firm metaphysical standing-ground outside the so-called physical and visible; and, having learned to stand upon this foundation, we can, according to the measure and absoluteness of our understanding, move off the physical appearances named diseases, whether organic or inorganic. With a very complete and absolute understanding of the metaphysical, we could produce even more marvelous changes in the physical. Jesus was the master metaphysician, and he, from the metaphysical standpoint, not only healed all manner of disease, but changed the water into wine, multiplied the loaves and fishes, restored the withered hand, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and caused the lame to walk. He also said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father;" that is, he that understands the truth, and will work from the same metaphysical basis that I do, shall do the same works; and greater works than these shall he do, because I have overcome the world, evil, and have made my way to the Father, Spirit. Thus did the Master clear away the obstacles, and render it easier for those who came after him to do his works.

Let it be repeated, that the study of Christian Science must proceed upon a logical basis. In reading any Christian Science literature which attempts to state its philosophy, the first thing the student should do is to satisfy himself that the fundamental statements about God are correctly made, as in our text-book; then that the remaining statements are correctly and logically drawn from these fundamental statements about God; and, if the student is a believer in God, in His all-power and in His sole creatorship, he must accept the statements which are in logical accord with the nature of God, even though these statements are directly contrary to the evidences of his physical senses. Doing this, he will have no difficulty in acquiring an intellectual understanding of Christian Science. At the same time he will learn to love and evermore seek after the pure and perfect ideals which have been presented to the understanding. Sooner or later, if the student follows this order faithfully, he will find himself becoming master over disease and discord, even to their complete overthrow both in himself and in others.

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