Editorial August 19, 1916 Issue

Divine Principle

Archibald McLellan

IT is almost an axiom that everybody would accept and conform to truth, if they really knew it to be the truth. In the same way Christian Scientists believe that all mankind would accept Christian Science as the truth, if they really knew it to be true. As a matter of fact the whole propaganda of Christian Science is based upon the theory that every man, woman, and child is desirous of knowing the truth which Christ Jesus said makes free, and only to the extent that Christian Science can be shown to possess this vital element is it of value to mankind.

In this work both the healing of the sick and the preaching of the Word through the Christian Science lectures and through the literature have a place, and it is essential that in each there shall be an appeal which is either the truth demonstrated, or statements capable of scientific demonstration. Hundreds of testimonies have been given of sickness healed by the reading of Science and Health, and likewise many persons have been healed while listening to the authorized lectures on this subject, or while in attendance at the church services, all of which is proving that Christian Science is the truth; or, as Mrs. Eddy has defined it, "the law of God, the law of good, interpreting and demonstrating the divine Principle and rule of universal harmony" (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 1).

On the same page of this book Mrs. Eddy answers the question, "What is the Principle of Christian Science?" as follows: "It is God, the Supreme Being, infinite and immortal Mind, the Soul of man and the universe. It is our Father which is in heaven. It is substance, Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love,—these are the deific Principle." To Christian Scientists, therefore, divine Principle stands for infinite, unchanging good. Human theories fail us in time of need, friends desert us and foes betray us; but divine Principle faileth never, it is sure and steadfast, whatever mortal sense may argue against it. To those who oppose Christian Science because they do not understand it, the use of the word Principle by Mrs. Eddy has given more or less offense; but this is because they have not fully comprehended its meaning and had in mind some limited sense of it.

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