Article April 24, 1920 Issue

Christian Scientists realize that Jesus of Nazareth was...

The Christian Science Monitor

Christian Scientists realize that Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever lived, they realize that he possessed a clearer understanding of God and His perfect creation than any other person whom the world has ever known, and they accept him as the highest authority on all questions relating to spiritual, or real being. Accepting him as their authority, they accept also his statement, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also," and know that in order to be worthy of the name of a Christian, they must, in some measure at least, repeat the works which he did. And to repeat these works they agree that it is vitally necessary that they should learn to pray as he prayed.

To one who has accepted, through the teachings of scholastic theology, a creed, a conventional or formal prayer, and who has been forced in the hour of distress to resort to the prayer of supplication, to this one, sooner or later, it must become apparent that any repetition of a combination of words, however beautifully formulated, or any expression of blind faith, superstition, or emotionalism, however earnestly voiced, is far from expressing the power that will repeat the works of Jesus. Turning to Christ Jesus' own words, the careful student will find that instead of indorsing or recommending the conventional prayer, Jesus in these words specifically denounced it: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." On page 1 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes: "Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the divine Mind. Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." And we should never cease from turning with our whole heart to God in prayer, knowing that a sincere desire for good can never be lost, nor go unrewarded. The sincerity of our desire, however, is attested, not by human forms, emotionalism, or "much speaking," but through obedience, obedience expressed through the sincere effort to bring every thought and action into conformity with the law of God, as taught, lived, and demonstrated by Christ Jesus.

Again, while the student will find the gospels abounding with records of miracles and wonderful healings by the Master, yet he can hardly conclude that Jesus healed the sick, fed the multitudes, or walked on the water, through the exercise merely of a form of supplication, nor will he find throughout the gospels anything to indicate that Jesus expected his followers to heal by any such method. The student will find, however, that Jesus did say, in language unmistakable: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

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