Since youth I have devoted thought and attention to...

Carl Seitz

Since youth I have devoted thought and attention to religious questions and the problem of being, but I confess that in my search for the truth I failed to find complete satisfaction and enlightenment in my own as well as in any of the well-known religious creeds. I had to walk my own way, and finally, with many others, shared the opinion that while religion with its ideal values was a factor of the utmost importance in the lives of people at large, as well as with regard to their education along ethical lines, and while a matter of great interest to the state and possibly a very effective help in the case of simple-minded people, yet that the educated, the intellectual, though they might assist in establishing religion, could not sincerely believe in the creeds.

When my attention was called to Christian Science, I applied myself diligently to its study, and soon realized that it contained the truth, the Science of being, for which I had been seeking. My opinion as to scholastic theology has remained unchanged, but I have marveled and have been filled with joy through the recognition that true Christianity, as presented in Christian Science, the pure teaching of Christ, offers not only ideal but most practical values, very tangible results; that religion is not a matter merely for women and children, but is especially to be commended to men, a profitable thing for men in all walks of life. I have come to see that simple-mindedness and a limited knowledge are not the essential conditions of faith so called, but that the keenest intellect and the best reasoning powers are none too good for a comprehension of the Christ-teaching in its full spiritual import, and the conclusions reached thereby. I have also seen that, high above all denominations and so-called sects, there is only one great Christian ideal, the Christianity of the sincere disciple and follower of Christ Jesus, such as Mrs. Eddy emphasizes and presents in the light of spiritual understanding in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." It then became evident to me how misplaced the word "sect" is, when applied to Christian Science. Christian Science towers so high above all denominations, parties, and dissensions, that it seems to be destined to serve as a perfect model, as an ideal to all denominations.

Another question of great moment urged itself upon me. Heretofore the educated man, the savant, the medical man, the man of practical science so called, was wont to look upon religion as upon something antiquated, time-worn, something that had no legitimate place in this age of progress. And now the marvel has occurred before the eyes of amazed humanity, as it did eighteen centuries ago. Christianity as restated and presented to the understanding by Mrs. Eddy, is not only a religion but a science, a science which is just as demonstrable as any other science. I can see the time nearing when the merely intellectual man will be considered reactionary, behind the times, and below the standard of his day, because his thought is not attuned to Truth and he has not a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science. More wonderful still, not only one class of people may put this teaching into practice and use it to good advantage, but to all people, without exception, the possibility is furnished of attaining physical, mental, and spiritual betterment and a high standard of excellence.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

It is about fifteen years since I first heard of Christian Science