Article September 23, 1916 Issue

Christianity is that system of religion which was taught...

Robert S. Ross in

Buffalo (N. Y.) Express

Christianity is that system of religion which was taught and practised by Jesus of Nazareth. The Christianity of Jesus not only reformed those who were beset by sin, but healed those who were in bondage to sickness. These demonstrations were object-lessons, or demonstrations employed to illustrate the healing power bestowed upon the understanding by the divine Principle underlying Jesus' teachings. Referring to his works, Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also," and "These signs shall follow them that believe." In these words Jesus served notice on the world that by no other standard than that of healing in the way he healed could Christian discipleship be properly measured. Jesus demanded proof, not mere profession.

History records that Christian healing continued for not more than three centuries after the departure of Jesus. Then the spiritual understanding necessary to heal seems to have been lost in materialism ; professed Christians began to separate into sects and societies, and that which for many centuries has been known as the Christian religion came into being. The Christianity of Jesus declared and demonstrated the allness of the one God, whom John refers to as "love;" but what is frequently known as the Christian religion recognizes an all-powerful God opposed by an all-powerful devil, or evil. It should therefore be immediately evident to most of your readers that there is a decided difference between original Christianity and that which claims the name of the Christian religion. Whether one call himself an orthodox Protestant or an orthodox anything else, Christian Scientists have no quarrel with him. It is the privilege of the individual to believe what he will, and to practise that belief so long as he does not interfere with the rights of others. Our critic should bear in mind that in order for one to be an orthodox Christian, he must conform to the standard of Christian practice set up by him who founded Christianity. Nothing less will suffice.

"When will Jesus' professed followers learn to emulate him in all his ways and to imitate his mighty works?" Mrs. Eddy asks on page 37 of Science and Health. "May the Christians of today," she continues, "take up the more practical import of that career! It is possible,—yea, it is the duty and privilege of every child, man, and woman,—to follow in some degree the example of the Master by the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness." Christian Science may be scornfully referred to as a "sect," but this will in no wise impede its progress or prevent its ultimate triumph over all man-made theories; for the Christianity of Jesus and of Christian Science is one and the same.

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