Article December 21, 1912 Issue

Christian Scientists have no wish to press their views on...

E. M. Ramsay

Haddingtonshire (Scotland) Advertiser

Christian Scientists have no wish to press their views on those who are satisfied with their present understanding of Christianity; the appeal of this Science is to the unsatisfied. At the same time it would be a very great pleasure to me if I could clear away any false impressions received, and with this object in view I will touch on one or two points of importance in the teaching. I think the argument of Mr. Wright's book may be summed up in the declaration that what is true in Christian Science is not new, and what is new is not true. To this I reply that Christian Science does not profess to be a new religion, or in any sense a substitute for the teachings of our Lord and Master. We are convinced, on the contrary, that it is that fuller understanding of his life, of his words and works, which he himself declared would come when the world was ready to receive it.

There is no new truth; "as it was in the beginning" it "is now, and ever shall be; world without end." There is, however much in Christian Science which is new to the thought of this age, and this exposes it to opposition, because the world has ever been inhospitably disposed toward new ideas. The healing of Christian Science differs radically from all other forms of healing, in that it recognizes that all disease is entirely of mental procurement and addresses itself first and last to the detection and correction of those unhealthy thoughts, sins, fears, or anxieties in which the disease originated. In order to have some idea of how the healing is accomplished, we must gain an understanding of the nature of Mind. Christian Science teaches that there is only one Mind, one intelligence, God. All would admit that there is but one truth, that is, that no one possesses a personal private truth of his own, but simply manifests to a greater or lesser degree the one truth which is here to be used by every one who can perceive it and grasp it.

In the same way there is but one Mind, one intelligence, and in order to express more of this true Mind we must surrender the belief in a private mind or intelligence of our own. In this way we obey the apostle's injunction, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." As we progress a little, we perceive that the good qualities we manifest are not in any sense our own, but are part of God's goodness, the reflection of His nature; we also see that the sin which once appeared so powerful and so much a part of our character is unreal, because it is not the outcome of the one and only cause. Sin is a hideous nightmare, a dire delusion, a false sense which while it is entertained shuts us out from the consciousness of God's love. Experience has shown us that this new view of sin lessens its apparent power. Once we regarded sin as a thing to be grappled with and overthrown, now we see that we must put it behind us and, clinging to God in utter humility and strong faith, wait till the light of His purity and love floods our consciousness and sweeps away the sin. This reformation of the heart expresses itself outwardly in improved bodily health, and, vice versa, no man can be healed by Christian Science without becoming morally better too.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors