CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND CULTURE

REV. ARTHUR REEVES VOSBURGH.

THE beneficent work of Christian Science is thoroughly known and recognized in the lines of physical healing, moral reformation, and spiritual quickening and illumination. It brings yet another line of benefit, which is well-nigh as marked and wonderful, viz., intellectual quickening and refinement. In grappling with the problem of being as unfolded in Christian Science, the seeker is compelled to face the profoundest questions that can engage the human mind, and thought is impelled to range out and seek the universal reason of things.

The very first thing that has to be gained, by one who studies the teaching of Christian Science, is the understanding of divine Principle and the law of cause and effect. In gaining this there must come an insight into the loftiest heights, the profoundest depths, and the widest scope of being. When we see that to the truth-seeker all this thinking is not wrestling with an abstract problem, but a quest which is instinct with vital meaning, which is thrilling and throbbing with deepest significance, it is evident how there must come a spontaneous, natural, necessary broadening of thought, a gaining of intellectual fiber that only comes by grappling and solving great questions.

Christian Science demands the closest, finest accuracy of thought and expression, as the learner follows on to solve the daily problem according to its teachings. The demonstration of Christian Science in the round of human experience means a clear perception and analysis of the thought elements that enter into all its details, a tracing out of all the minor relations of cause and effect that these details involve, and a definite solution of them by the Principle and rule of divine Science. All this necessarily, and obviously, demands and impels a constantly increasing clearness and refinement in the thought processes, and all this is allied to an absorbing, compelling, rejoicing interest in the work thus being done.

Beyond this, Christian Science is constantly awakening and inspiring the seeker, while it is unfolding the vision of an eternal beauty. In the spiritual unfolding that it brings, there is awakened an aspiration after all that is lovely and best, and there is given a vivid conviction that all these ideals are present realities to be reached and realized, and that in finding them is found the true meaning and joy of existence. Thus there comes a chasteness and beauty of thought, through the natural unfoldment of the glory of the spiritual idea.

All these results appear in the mental growth of the Christian Scientist, just in the degree of the earnestness and fidelity with which he has mastered and applied the teaching. The ability to bring breadth, accuracy, and beauty into one's thinking, or, rather, the unfolding of these as the distinguishing, spontaneous characteristics of one's thinking, is what constitutes genuine culture; and the inworking and outworking of the spiritual idea does achieve this, just in the measure that it finds its true fulfilment.

This seems to suggest Paul's outline and summary of what shall constitute true thinking, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; ... think on these things."

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