Article December 16, 1916 Issue

A recent article quotes from a clergyman to the effect that...

Henry Van Arsdale

La Mesa (Cal.) Scout

A recent article quotes from a clergyman to the effect that religion as expressed through the various churches, including the Christian Science church, is entirely ineffective to meet prevailing economic conditions. He says, "I take my stand on the life and spirit and teaching of Jesus." This is exactly the position of Christian Science. The life and works of Christ Jesus were devoted to an amelioration of every adverse human circumstance and condition. His promise was that those who believed on him should not only do the works that he did, in the way of bringing about better living and social conditions, but that such believers should do even greater works, these greater works undoubtedly referring to the wider opportunities which this age presents to those who follow the Master in deed and in truth.

The Church of Christ, Scientist, was founded in 1879 by Mrs. Eddy, and upon her motion "it was voted,—To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing" (Manual, p. 17). Christian Science recognizes that the healing wrought by the Master was a complete healing, not only of bodily infirmity and disease but of all the ills from which mankind suffers. Christian Scientists are firm believers in the first commandment, that is, they do not give power to that which is unlike God, who is good, and who is Love.

On page 340 of Mrs. Eddy's book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which is the text-book of Christian Science, occurs this statement: "'Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' (Exodus xx. 3.) The First Commandment is my favorite text. It demonstrates Christian Science. It inculcates the triunity of God, Spirit, Mind; it signifies that man shall have no other spirit or mind but God, eternal good, and that all men shall have one Mind. Thedivine Principle of the First Commandment bases the Science of being, by which man demonstrates health, holiness, and life eternal. One infinite God, good, unifies men and nation; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,—whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed."

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