Article June 5, 1909 Issue

THE EXPLANATORY NOTE

ERNESTINE HADKINSON.

A short time ago some friends who were just beginning to feel interested in the study of Christian Science, said that they liked the service, but they felt antagonized every time the "explanatory note" was read before the Lesson-Sermon was entered upon. The thought was that by declaring the Lesson-Sermon to be "uncontaminated and unfettered by human hypotheses," our Leader had not only said that her personal explanation of the Bible was the only right one, but that she also made herself superhuman.

I had never given the "explanatory note" any particular thought, accepting it naturally, without having noticed that I had myself no clear understanding of its profound meaning. Therefore, when the question was suddenly thrust upon me, I had to take the Quarterly and read carefully what was stated. Directly my eyes fell on the word in italics in the last clause, "authorized by Christ," and I pointed this out to the inquirers, making it clear to them that Mrs. Eddy claimed no supernatural power when she had shown us that there is only one Truth; that "Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated" (Science and Health, p. 323); therefore that each individual would have to prove by his own experience and to his own satisfaction the truth of all her statements. St. Paul said: "But I certify you. brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Mrs. Eddy. when again preaching the same gospel, said, "No human pen nor tongue taught me the Science contained in this book, Science and Health; and neither tongue nor pen can overthrow it. ... Its Science must be apprehended by as many as believe on Christ and spiritually understand Truth" (Science and Health, p. 110).

My friends were then satisfied to go on studying until they should understand more. I was specially reminded of this little incident at Christmas, when I was trying to realize more fully the meaning of "Christ." My eyes fell on a poem in the Sentinel, entitled, "When was Christ born?" and I saw that the Christ is first born in us at the moment when we get a glimpse of the glorious possibilities of man in the image and likeness of a perfect Principle. The "explanatory note" in the Christian Science service announces the true concept of Christ, as explained in "Miscellaneous Writings" (pp. 161–168). In Revelation we read: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. .... He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." It is therefore of great importance that all who attend Christian Science services, and especially members of the Christian Science denomination, should clearly understand the import of the "explanatory note." If all Christian Scientists present at a service united in letting in the Christ more fully at that special moment, the spirit of Truth, of Love, of praise and gratitude would be so reflected that wrong thinking (animal magnetism) could find no place in consciousness, and the healing thought would go out constantly to demonstrate and bring into experience the true substance, the infinite supply.

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THE EXPLANATORY NOTE

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