Article December 10, 1910 Issue

CHURCHES AND SERMONS

EVA S. LOMBARD

Recently my attention was called to a printed sermon which had been placed conspicuously for free distribution, and the words "Christian Science" led me to take a copy home for review. Having been a member of the church from which it came, until I was nearly forty years of age, my heart goes out to the dear people who are so conscientiously struggling to know God. In the sermon under contemplation, the objection was raised that any one outside the church should "claim to save souls." According to historical records it would be difficult to locate "the church," and we all appreciate the efforts of Luther, Calvin, Wesley, and many others to establish a consistent church.

Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health (p. 583) says that the church is "that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick." It was Peter's recognition of the healing Christ that led Jesus to say, "Upon this rock I will build my church;" and our recognition of the healing Christ is the "rock" upon which we must build today, if we would be saved. It is in Mind, not in any externals, however beautiful, that we must find our church, no matter to what denomination we may belong.

It is good that some of the churches are awakening to the perpetuity of Jesus' command, "Heal the sick." The time will come, and that at no distant day, when all Christians will acknowledge the logic and the spiritual healing influence of Mrs. Eddy's writings. They will study them and practise them, for those who are honest will see that the integrity of any church must tear away the veil that would obscure spiritual power. Mrs. Eddy says that "honesty is spiritual power" (Science and Health, p. 453), and this will reveal to them the fact that God has many channels through which to pour the healing truth. To call Christian Science a "sugar-coated compound" shows a lack of intimacy with its workings, for it certainly takes away a sense of flattered vanity and self-righteousness and uncovers and destroys "ravening wolves," a process which is just the reverse of sugar-coating. Our text-book tells us (p. 559) that we find the healing "sweet as honey," but that we must also digest the "bitter." (See Revelation x. 9, 10.)

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