Article July 26, 1919 Issue

A correspondent writes that "Christian Scientists are...

Katherine English

Victoria (British Columbia) Colonist

A correspondent writes that "Christian Scientists are only concerned about their temporal benefits here, where everything is waxing old as doth a garment." In all her teachings Mrs. Eddy points first and foremost to the spiritual and away from that which is temporal. It is the kingdom of God and His righteousness that occupy the time and attention of Christian Science students. Our Lord and Master, Jesus the Christ, commanded His followers: "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. ... But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The kingdom of God is not a political kingdom, nor an animal kingdom; it is wholly a mental state, characterized by the qualities belonging to that Mind which is God, good. Those who accept the government of that Mind do not express the animal qualities of the carnal mind, such as hatred, anger, idleness, stupidity. In proportion as the carnal mind is forsaken and that Mind which was in Christ Jesus is acknowledged and obeyed, they begin to manifest the qualities of that Mind,—love, joy, peace, activity, intelligence. There is no intrinsic use or value in poverty or squalor. They do not help us to understand God. There is no limitation or poverty in infinite good, no squalor in the purity of the kingdom of heaven. Why then should one defend these conditions or tolerate them in earthly experience? Why consider it presumption to declare that the knowledge of Christ will destroy poverty and pain? It assuredly will not cause or perpetuate them. If every one on the face of the earth sought first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, where would sin and poverty be found? And if there were no sin and poverty, where would we find sickness?

The object of the teachings of Christian Science is to show mankind where and how to seek and to find this kingdom. It is manifestly absurd to seek it in materiality, for it is not there. It is the kingdom of God, and God is Spirit; therefore the search must be in the spiritual realm of thought. We must seek it with the whole heart and mind, we must put the things of the Spirit absolutely first in our aims and affections, and our usefulness will not then be hampered by the lack of daily bread or durable clothing. All these things of daily need are found to be added to us as we gain the spiritual substance of that kingdom, for these things are but the fleeting shadows of the life giving Truth by which the real man lives, of the "garment of praise" which is always fresh and never waxes old.

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