Article September 28, 1918 Issue

In an article entitled "Fetters of Tradition," while expressing...

Albert F. Gilmore—New York, N. Y.

Azoth

In an article entitled "Fetters of Tradition," while expressing surprise at "the increasing and world-wide interest in psychic phenomena of all kinds, while in English speaking countries such mental cults as Christian Science, etc., are making large numbers of converts," the statement is made that there is no sign of the religious awakening which was widely anticipated at the outbreak of the war. From this, the obvious conclusion is that Christian Science is other than a religion. Permit it to be said that Christian Science is the renaissance of primitive Christianity, the restoration of the teaching and practice of Christ Jesus, the truth about God and man. It corresponds in every particular with Webster's definition of religion, namely, "conformity in faith and life to the precepts inculcated in the Bible, respecting conduct of life and duty toward God and man; the Christian faith and practice." That this teaching is based upon the precepts of the Bible is assured in the first of its fundamental tenets: "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life" (Science and Health, p. 497). Every student of this religion earnestly strives to know and follow these precepts, accepting Christ Jesus as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (Science and Health, p. 332). The results of this constant prayer are manifest in a host so numerous that it may not be adequately numbered of happy, upward looking Christian people, who are proving that life is full of happiness and worth the living, that "joy is no longer a trembler, nor is hope a cheat" (Science and Health, p. 298). They have indeed discovered the fount of living waters at which all may drink at will.

To be sure Christian Science goes farther in its activities than other denominations, for it accepts and practices the full ministry of Christ Jesus, healing disease and every phase of discord as the inevitable result of that spiritual regeneration which is the new birth. It is not, however, primarily a system of therapeutics, but the understanding of divine law, the operation of which in human consciousness heals and saves. It fills the gap which appears in the teaching and practice of every other Christian denomination. Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 135), "Christianity as Jesus taught it was not a creed, nor a system of ceremonies, nor a special gift from a ritualistic Jehovah; but it was the demonstration of divine Love casting out error and healing the sick, not merely in the name of Christ, or Truth, but in demonstration of Truth, as must be the case in the cycles of divine light." To follow in his footsteps, to minister as he ministered, to serve God by serving man, is the desire of every true Christian Scientist. Surely this fulfills the requirements of true religion.

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