Article October 4, 1919 Issue

When Mrs. Eddy first gave to the world her remarkable...

Louis E. Scholl—Spokane, Wash.

Spokesman-Review

When Mrs. Eddy first gave to the world her remarkable definition of God, found on page 587 of Science and Health, she little suspected probably that one word contained therein would arouse such a storm of protest from the old school theologians, and all because that one word, "Principle," as she used it, is so little understood by them. The definition referred to reads (p. 587): "God. The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence."

Now even the most strictly orthodox people find themselves in agreement with the first part of this definition, for being familiar with the Bible they see that the definition is strictly Scriptural; but the theologue always stops at the word "Principle." It sounds new; it is Mrs. Eddy's teaching; therefore, says he, it is wrong.

A bishop in an address before the Fourteenth Annual Convention of Inland Empire Sunday Schools, held in Spokane, as reported said, "I cannot think of one of these social cults in which people have thought seriously of God. The God they thought of was only principle. I don't see what the use is of praying to a principle." The bishop is right from his standpoint. No one could see the use of praying to a principle, or a mind, or a soul, or a spirit, as these words are commonly used, for it is generally believed that there are divers principles, minds, souls, and spirits—good, bad, and indifferent. Mrs. Eddy has used these words, however, as synonyms of God; and when Christian Scientists Speak of God as Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, and so forth, they speak with the clear understanding that comes with the casting out of the mortal belief in innumerable other principles, minds, souls, and spirits all outside of or opposed to God.

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