Article May 26, 1917 Issue

Direction

EDWARD E. DANIELL

This question was recently asked by a new student of Christian Science: "Can you not repeat aloud the prayer you have said silently, and which has helped me so much? I am at a loss as to what to do, since I learn that a petition to God in the old way is not the effectual prayer." The question was honestly asked, and it reminded the one questioned of his own early experiences, when he was earnestly seeking the light. Because of what had been brought about by the work of a practitioner, he was searching the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, for some formula or specific instruction to guide him. He eventually found an abundance of specific instruction, although no formula.

Directions as specific as one could wish for abound both in the Christian Science text-book and in the Bible. On page 15 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "In order to pray aright, we must enter into the closet and shut the door. We must close the lips and silence the material senses. In the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings, we must deny sin and plead God's allness." In the practice of law a plea is, strictly speaking, an allegation of fact. Since Christian Science teaches that supplication, or begging God to be good, is neither true nor effective prayer, it is obvious that the legal meaning is intended in this instance; thus we are directed to declare or state "God's allness."

For example, a lawyer is called to defend one who has been unjustly accused of dishonesty. Quite naturally it is to be expected that the first thing the lawyer will do is to deny the guilt of his client. To do this once is sufficient. He then proceeds logically and clearly to prove the innocence of the one charged with stealing. He shows that such an act is foreign to a man of such birth, bringing up, and present condition of abundance as his client is known to be. He further proves an alibi; that is, he shows where his client was at the time of the stealing, and that because he was in his own home, afar from the scene of stealing, it was impossible for this man under any circumstance to have committed the crime. With an appeal to justice to lift the stigma from the name of his client, he closes the case.

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