"LINE UPON LINE."

FRANK H. SPRAGUE

To persons whose impressions of Christian Science have been gained from outside observation instead of practical experience, it is sometimes a matter of wonderment that the adherents of this faith devote so much time to the study of the Bible, with Science and Health and other writings of Mrs. Eddy. From the point of view of their observations it seems to savor of pedantry, if not indeed of fanaticism, that one should attend service every Sunday to listen to the reading of a stated Lesson-Sermon, after having already devoted a portion of each week-day to its careful perusal. Surely such loyalty to an ideal must be taken either as an indication of narrow-mindedness and bigotry on the part of its devotees, or else as evidence that the works in question contain a hidden source and supply of inspiration, which the outsider fails to discover.

If, as is frequently supposed, Christian Science were merely a novel system or method of treating disease, the essential points in its practice might be embodied in a definite formula or scheme of doctrine which, once mastered, would call for no further study. But the case is far different. The manifestations of healing witnessed by the onlooker are but incidental considerations in the practice of this Science, visible effects resulting from an appreciation and understanding of certain fundamental truths regarding man's being. Christian Science shows that Life has nothing to do with organic matter or material structure; that a sense of life which is involved in materiality is false; and that a right understanding of God and the universe causes discordant bodily conditions to disappear by correcting and undoing the mistaken beliefs of which those conditions are but the objective expression.

Not until human consciousness is so completely transformed that all evidence of materiality is wiped out and the undisputed reign of spiritual harmony established, will the stronghold of sin, disease, and all ungodlikeness be undermined and overthrown. Surely, such a consummation can be reached only by proceeding "precept upon precept; line upon line," in the eradication of falsity. The task of engrounding thought in the true, the spiritual sense of Life, in the face of the overwhelmingly contradictory and seemingly valid claims of physical sense testimony, calls for the utmost consecration and devotion—untiring vigilance and unremitting application. In the declaration, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away," the apostle Paul expresses his recognition of the renovating process by which human consciousness must be dispossessed of a material sense of existence and spiritual sense quickened into manifestation.

Mrs. Eddy says in her address at the dedication of the church in Concord: "To live so as to keep human consciousness in constant relation with the divine, the spiritual and eternal, is to individualize infinite power—and this is Christian Science" (Sentinel, July 23, 1904). In the parable of the leaven Jesus indicates the power of spiritual sense or understanding, "the kingdom of heaven," to transform human consciousness. Again, he likens the kingdom of heaven to "a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Consciously or ignorantly, all mankind is seeking to realize the harmony and happiness which spiritual sense imparts. In proportion as the heavenly harmony is experienced, the glamour and allurements of a material sense of happiness fade away. Mortals do not deem the pursuit of materially conceived riches and power irksome, even though such pursuit involves toil and sacrifice, since they believe those things have ability to confer enjoyment. According to the testimony of innumerable witnesses, the progressive realization of man's true nature and possibilities, as unfolded in Christian Science, is attended by a spiritual sense of peace, joy, and harmony far surpassing the fleeting and disappointing pleasures of material sense. Is it to be wondered at, then, that Christian Scientists eagerly avail themselves of the advantages for spiritual growth offered in the systematic and concerted study of the Bible, together with their Leader's works, the public services, and other accessories which the movement affords?

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THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

May 14, 1910

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