Article May 29, 1909 Issue

THE POSITIVE NOTE

ROBERT NALL

The positive nature of Christian Science teaching and practice cannot be too strongly emphasized. Because it is idealistic, it is sometimes looked upon and described as visionary and impractical, but it does not require a very profound acquaintance with philosophy to know that life without ideals would be worthless. The main thing is to see that these ideals are pure and perfect, and that in our reasoning we adopt the deductive method so clearly evidenced by Mrs. Eddy in giving to the world a system of thought the most practical, because of its spiritual basis, that the world has known.

There is weakness and vacillation in much of the writings of ancient as well as modern philosophers, because in groping their way in the "thorny road of truth" many of them had little or no conception of a spiritual theory of the universe. Some modern philosophers have been emphatic enough in promulgating their theories, but time, research, and revelation have proved them to have taught quite erroneous opinions because of their failure to reason deductively. One of these, dominated by pronounced materialism, declared that metaphysics, which deals with the essence of things and the search for reality, being an impossible science beyond our senses, should be "relegated to the lumber-room of useless objects." Mrs. Eddy, however, brushing aside the imperfect and unsatisfying theories of philosophers, went straight to the purest and best Teacher and teaching, and won her way to the absolute conclusions found in Christian Science "through divine revelation, reason, and demonstration" (Science and Health, p. 109).

It was the profound conviction that what had been revealed to her was the unadulterated truth taught by Jesus, which impelled her, without doubt or fear, to give it to the world, and thus to become one of its greatest reformers. That this conviction has never weakened is evident from the wonderful history of the past forty years. With undimmed vision, with steady purpose, with unwavering solicitude, with burning zeal for God and humanity, there has been a persistent and consistent declaration and manifestation of the truth that is today a mighty force in winning men and women to the acceptance of Science and to all the beneficent results that follow therefrom. What is it that has made a few men and women all down the centuries such potent influences for good? Not mere intellectual knowledge, not wealth, not rank, not special opportunities or advantages, but a spiritual passion that with almost divine vision saw, above and beneath and beyond the frailties and sufferings of humanity, that kingdom of righteousness wherein God's purposed for His children are fulfilled and His will is done.

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