Christian Science
sends its students directly to the Bible, and teaches them to seek in it, not dogmas to support man-made theology, but the deep spiritual truth underlying commandment and beatitude, history and poetry, preaching and parable, the truth of God's omnipotence and of man's oneness with God.
Trained
, as most of us have been from earliest childhood, to look to the outward things about us for pleasure and profit; to watch the body lest it become diseased and therefore troublesome; to fear the slightest touch of pain lest it develop into something "serious;" to be tucked up and coddled on the slightest provocation by our anxious parents,—it is small wonder that the visible and tangible things, of which we hear much, seem real, and that the invisible things, of which we hear but little, seem visionary and unreal.
I may not tread the paths he trodIn famed Judea's land,But I can walk as near to GodAs those who touched his hand;I may not climb the vine-clad hills,Nor stand on Olives' height,But when his truth my vision fills,I see a grander sight!
In a recent issue of the Citizen, under the healing of "The Theosophical Society," there is a reference to Christian Science which I am sure you will allow me to correct.
On several occasions I have been asked to give my reasons for leaving the Congregational church and its ministry in order to take up Christian Science.
A sermon delivered in your city entitled "The Breaking Point," and recently circulated in pamphlet form, assumes the position that bodily weakness may be fought off for a season, but that a time arrives when "an unmanageable physical breakdown occurs which Christian Science is very foolish to deny," and adds that "the day will come when the physician or surgeon will have to be called in.
That Christian Science "is one of the doctor's best economic assets" is a novel argument, and exactly the reverse of most statements given out under such circumstances; for it is self-evident that if materia medica had even approached a sure method of cure, there would have been little or no demand for Christian Science as a healing agent.
We do not pretend to understand this divine philosophy which brings healing on its wings to the sick, wounded, and bereaved of earth, but we say, Blessed be the name of that greatest of modern women, Mary Baker Eddy, who took faith as her staff, chart, and compass, and the Bible as her field notes, and boldly went into the wilderness of conflicting beliefs to trace out and resurvey the ancient paths of righteousness and peace which millions of mortals are now dimly following in the inspiring hope of universal peace, righteousness, and good will among mankind on earth.
Three
stemlike towers soar far aboveThe noisy street,And there they flower in singing bells;While hurrying feetAlong the path of striving men,Pause on their wayTo grapple with the beckoning day,As deep-toned swellsThe message of the singing bells—Strikes "faith," strikes "hope," strikes "courage"; thenStrikes "courage," "hope," and "faith" again!
We
read in the gospels that when Jesus chose those who were to carry on the work of preaching and healing which he was about to inaugurate, they forsook all to follow him, and throughout the time he was with them we find him impressing upon them, again and again, the necessity for faithfulness in their high calling, even to that sorrowful rebuke to Peter, "Couldest not thou watch one hour?
In
the gospels we find a number of strong statements as to what is possible to those who let go of the mortal, material sense of things, and lift their thoughts to God as the source of all that is real and harmonious.
For many years I had known that Christian Science healed the sick, but I did not accept it for myself until August, 1908, when I had been very ill for five weeks.
Emilie Kremser
with contributions from M. A. Murray
Not long ago I was seized with a violent attack of bowel trouble which greatly weakened me, so much so that during the night I was taken with a fainting-spell and fell to the floor with a light in my hand.
I give this testimony not only to express my gratitude for the knowledge I have received in Christian Science of the healing power of God, but also to give to other people some practical evidence thereof.
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