Article July 17, 1909 Issue

Christian Science does not deny the existence of pain...

Abbot Edes Smith

Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune

Christian Science does not deny the existence of pain under the human laws of disease and of sin to which mortals are usually subject; but Christian Science does maintain and prove by practical results that the apostle Paul made no mistake when he said: "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Jesus proved that the human laws of disease, as well as of sin, are nullified by the law of God, when an appeal is made to our heavenly Father; and our Master said: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." Thus our Saviour established the only test to show who are his worthy followers and who really believe in him.

Christian Science does not deny, it affirms the infinite personality and individuality of God, in the true philosophical and religious meaning of those words, namely, that God possesses infinite self-conscious existence, and knows Himself and knows and loves His whole creation, the least as well as the greatest. Following the plain teaching of our Saviour and of his apostles, Christian Science teaches a spiritual and infinite, not an anthropomorphic and finite, God. The word "Principle" is applied to God to emphasize the absoluteness and eternal unchangeableness of Him who is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever;" "With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." The other words applied to God are all in accordance with and follow the Bible teaching.

In the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy expressly affirms her belief in the immaculate conception of Jesus, in his resurrection and his ascension. She draws the distinction, long recognized by theologians, between the human side of his nature and the divine, between the Jesus who was born, who died, rose, and ascended, as he said, "unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God," and the eternal Christ of whom Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am,"—the Son of God.

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