Article August 30, 1913 Issue

It is not alone a special quality of Christian Science that...

Marie Hartmann—The Hague, Holland. (Translation.)

Eenheid

It is not alone a special quality of Christian Science that "this teaching demands (or rather, that is a result of this teaching), but the forsaking of that which is not in accordance with its views." Every perception of truth necessarily obliges one to forsake what he comes to know as inaccurate or untrue on the point in question. Christian Science reveals God, divine Mind, as the only, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient cause, and man as His idea. The acceptance of the Christ, of this saving Truth, results not alone in breaking away from old companions, but in abandoning all wrong thinking.

I do not consider it so commendable as the writer in your paper seems to regard it, that after having found in a new teaching a clearer and better idea of God, one should return to his former church organization; for it could be nothing but a seeming, an outward return, since it is not possible to remain morally or spiritually united with that which one has outgrown. The moment one becomes convinced of the truth which another movement teaches, the ties binding him to his former church are severed; the leaving of the church is only an outward affirmation of this severance. By learning to know as much as possible of the truth which makes free, man becomes conscious of his unity with God, and this enables him to help others find the way to harmony. Therefore a Christian Scientist joins that church which reveals to him the truth most clearly and fully.

Christian Science is not a creation of Mrs. Eddy; it is the knowledge of God, and therefore it is as eternal as God Himself. Mrs. Eddy was pure enough and spiritual enough to be able to see that truth, and to perceive that the laws through which God works are eternal and unchangeable, and therefore demonstrable for all who understand them. Christian Science demands of its followers an individual understanding of God and of His law of perfection; it points the way to this attainment, but it teaches that everybody must do his own part and walk in this way, because one's salvation cannot be worked out by somebody else. Christian Science does not teach us to follow what Mrs. Eddy or what others say, but to obey that which one has learned to be true.

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