Article April 10, 1909 Issue

WHAT WE DEMONSTRATE

REV. ARTHUR R. VOSBURGH

The words "demonstrate" and "demonstration" hold a large place in the vocabulary of Christian Science. They indicate the process by which some unseen truth is, in its results, made evident to humanity. That which is demonstrated is always the unseen; some visible, tangible result is its demonstration.

There is frequently heard a use of these words which involves a confusion or even a reversal of their true meaning. For instance, we sometimes hear such statements as these: "I have demonstrated one hundred dollars for our Cause;" or, "We have demonstrated a lot, a building, an organ, for our church." Some individual has demonstrated a pleasing residence for a home. Not infrequently such an instance as this arises. Some young church or society finds it impossible, for a time, to bring forward any man who is eligible for the position of Reader. Finally some one is raised up who proves to be the one for the place. Then it has often been said that this church has demonstrated a man for a Reader.

All this is wrong—why? Because that which is demonstrated is not the result but the procuring cause. What the Christian Scientist is demonstrating in every one of the instances named above, and in every instance that might be named, is that divine Love has a sufficient supply for every need. Without any doubt all these things have come about in demonstration, but that which is demonstrated is the divine power which has wrought to produce these beneficent results. Then our statement is true if we say that we have demonstrated Love's guidance, Love's power, Love's supply, in any of these conditions. And our statement is utterly wrong if we say we have demonstrated the thing or the result, whatsoever it be, instead of the divine cause that has produced the result.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
RESURRECTION
April 10, 1909
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit