Editorial August 15, 1908 Issue

THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIANITY

Annie M. Knott

Some years ago Professor Drummond wrote: "Shall a mechanical experiment succeed infallibly and the one vital experiment of humanity remain a chance. ... If we cannot calculate to a certainty that the forces of religion will do their work, then is religion vain."

At the time these words were written the demand for a scientific explanation of external things was being felt in every direction, but there were few who saw that there was at least an equal reason for the use of scientific methods in the study of religion and its application to human affairs. It is true that a good many years prior to this time the Science of Christianity had been discovered by Mrs. Eddy, and rules for its application in the healing of disease had been formulated and given to the world in the text-book of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures;" but this discovery had to win its way to a wide recognition and acceptance by actual demonstration of the correctness of its fundamental teaching, and in doing this it had to displace the solidified prejudices resulting from centuries of belief in the reality of matter and of evil.

That Christian Science has already succeeded in doing this to a large extent, proves the power of divine Principle when understood, and it also proves that Science is seen by thoughtful people to be as much a necessity to progress and permanence in religion as in the so-called physical realm. Who is there that has not sighed for the wonderful healing ministry of Christ Jesus, when beset by hopeless suffering, either in his own experience or in that of some loved one? To be told that such ministry has no relation to the present time can do little but drive one to the verge of accepting the philosophy of the cynic who said that "faith has one logic and fate another;" worse than this, it tempts one to doubt if Christ Jesus ever healed the sick, when neither prayers nor tears could bring healing to-day, even when these were backed up by all that modern medical skill could offer.

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