Article April 15, 1911 Issue

TESTED TEXTS

KATE G. POHL

In geometry there are certain fundamental statements recognized as always true, which are called axioms; for instance, "Two parallel lines are always equidistant." These axioms and logical deductions therefrom are used to prove every geometrical proposition, and when the problem is correctly solved Q. E. D. is written at the end, meaning, "Which was to be demonstrated." Christian Science tells its students that they must use the fundamental teachings of the Bible with the same mathematical accuracy, that they too must prove by practical application and results the value of these teachings; namely, the Ten Commandments and the logical deductions therefrom as given in Christ's sermon on the mount, and interpreted for this age in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy.

What to the student in geometry is called a proposition may be likened in Christian Science to our every-day tasks and experiences as the followers of the Master,—the healing of sickness, the overcoming of faults, or the proving that God is the source of all supply. Each new thing to be done or to be left undone is a proposition to be proved according to scientific rule, after the way of Christ's appointing, if we would make our work successful. We can no more alter or tamper with God's law and bring about good results than we can change the axioms of geometry and correctly solve the problem. We are truly progressing when we admit this simple fact.

To illustrate: Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Recently there came into the writer's experience a need to do some spiritual work, while at the same time there seemed great need for merely material work. Repeatedly came the temptation to lay aside the spiritual and take up the material; yet the spiritual axiom demanded that I seek first the kingdom of God. Dared I trust this absolutely? The rule was worth testing. To be sure, this meant the reversal of ordinary methods, and common sense argued, "What will you do if it fails? to which ridicule answered, "Be considered foolish." The text, however, in this instance was tested, and the result was far beyond what could have followed mere physical thought-taking, for, as the Bible more familiarly expresses it, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

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