Editorial June 22, 1912 Issue

PROOF VS. OPINION

Editor

In our text-book we read that "in Christian Science mere opinion is valueless" (Science and Health, p. 341). Mrs. Eddy goes on to say, "Paul alludes to 'doubtful disputations.' The hour has struck when proof and demonstration, instead of opinion and dogma, are summoned to the support of Christianity" (p. 342). There are few students of Christian history who fail to see that mere opinion, finding expression in endless discussions, was largely responsible for the loss of primitive Christianity, and the rapid and increasing multiplication of sects, with their unfortunate variances. Well might Paul ask, "Is Christ divided?" The remarkable thing is, however, that after long centuries of dogmatism the vital truth of Christianity has again been brought to humanity in Christian Science, and its power is seen in that its teachings appeal to all classes and conditions of men, whatever their religious affiliations; that is, to those who are willing to stand by the statement that man is not material but spiritual.

Nearly all professed Christians, outside of Christian Science, believe that man is both material and spiritual and that he was thus created by God; but whenever material belief is admitted, the spiritual fact is mainly lost sight of. For example, in a case of illness, is not the belief in a material condition and in material law th first consideration? Is there any serious attempt to think of man as a spiritual being, to base his chances for recovery upon this fact, and from this view-point to achieve his freedom? No, indeed, as the many published criticisms of Christian Science go to show; but in spite of the almost universal belief of mortals that man is material, the splendid healing work of Christian Science is done on the basis of spiritual law as stated in the Scriptures and explained in Science and Health.

It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that students of Mrs. Eddy's writings should keep close to the fundamentals of Christian Science, ever keeping in view the divine Principle. and remembering the Master's promise that "the Spirit of truth" would guide us "into all truth." We shall undoubtedly know "all things," when human thought has been sufficiently spiritualized to be a transparency for Truth, and we may rejoice that even now, in the earlier stages of our progress, we do not lack the practical understanding required to work out each problem as it presents itself. Our Leader counsels us to begin our treatment always by "allaying the fear of patients" (Science and Health, p. 411), and those who have faithfully followed this rule find that it is not only applicable in the overcoming of disease, but to all the discords or mortal existence as well, for it is based upon the teachings of Christ Jesus; indeed upon the spiritual teaching of the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation.

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