Article October 25, 1919 Issue

Christian Science teaches every student very early in his...

The Christian Science Monitor

Christian Science teaches every student very early in his experience that it is both important and necessary to translate the Bible into its spiritual or metaphysical meaning, and until we do this we fail to gain or demonstrate the vital healing power which its golden treasures disclose when revealed in their true light. It was the recognition of this great fact that enabled the apostle to the Gentiles to observe that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him," and then added, "Neither can he know them,"—that is subject them to scientific proof or demonstration,—"because they are spiritually discerned."

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science for this day and age, has pointed to this very truism throughout her writings, and, what is most important of all, has taught us how we can gain this demonstrable knowledge of Holy Writ. She says in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 241): "Take away the spiritual signification of Scripture, and that compilation can do no more for mortals than can moonbeams to melt a river of ice," and adds most significantly, "The error of the ages is preaching without practice." Christ Jesus demonstrated the truth far more than he talked about it. His recorded sayings are very meager in number in comparison with the long list of his mighty works brought down to us through the gospels, and our attention is forcefully called to this by Mrs. Eddy, whose teachings have enabled us to comprehend that what Jesus said was merely the outcome of what he did.

Now, on the basis of what he actually did, was Christ Jesus a true witness, and if so what was his testimony? He said: "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true," showing clearly that he could not bear true witness,—testify to the truth,—if he gave less than the entire glory to God. After referring to John as having been sent to bear witness to the truth, he gave utterance to these immortal words: "But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me." He called upon the people to believe in his divine mission for the very works' sake, upon his bearing true witness, giving evidence in all that he did for sinful and suffering humanity. He was not bearing witness of himself, but of his Father, who is Love. And moreover it was his unfailing record of good works that proved then and for all time that he was a true witness. His testimony was the testimony of Spirit, of the only true God, who is Mind, and of His infinite manifestation, the universe including the true man, the idea of Mind. The model of the true witness as expressed in the earthly career of Christ Jesus shows us to-day and for all time that in the exact ratio in which we emulate his example can we bear witness to the truth. This testifying does not merely call for a confession of faith or subscribing to church tenets, but demands the proving of the unreality of sin and disease for ourselves and others.

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Christian Science teaches every student very early in his...

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