Article October 7, 1916 Issue

If available records of Jesus' ministry left any doubt about...

Robert S. Ross—Penn Yan, N. Y.

Yates County Chronicle

If available records of Jesus' ministry left any doubt about what the requirements of Christian discipleship are, there might be some excuse for the critic's declaration that Christian Science "antagonizes every essential of Christian truth." But these records do not leave any doubt; they state in direct terms exactly what is required of Christians if they would be worthy of the name. At one time, for instance, Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." At another time he said, "These signs shall follow them that believe," and then he enumerated what these "signs" would be, including healing the sick. At still another time he said, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Many other passages could be cited from the New Testament to prove beyond cavil that the healing of the sick by spiritual means and the understanding of Jesus' teachings go hand in hand and are inseparable.

What would be thought of a person who claimed to be a mathematician but who could not solve the problems given him to test his ability? Would not the inevitable conclusion be that he was professing that which he did not practise? Christianity is a demonstrable religion; it is based on unchanging Principle. Jesus declared that his true followers would be known by their ability to repeat his works. Can one reasonably claim to understand scientific Christianity unless he can do these works? "The hour has struck," Mrs. Eddy writes in the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 342), "when proof and demonstration, instead of opinion and dogma, are summoned to the support of Christianity."

Those well-meaning preachers who, like the critic above referred to, attack Christian Science, do so in the face of the words and works of the Founder of Christianity, for Christian Science and Christianity are one. If the critic doubts this statement, he can prove its soundness by conscientiously studying Science and Health and putting into practice what he learns. Christian Science is a spiritual system; it cannot be understood through matter. Spiritual perception alone can compass its heights. Did not Paul say that spiritual things must be "spiritually discerned"?

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