Article June 3, 1922 Issue

The aim of Christian Scientists is to have more and more...

Robert G. Steel, Committee on Publication for the State of Michigan,

Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

The aim of Christian Scientists is to have more and more consciously the Mind of Christ. This endeavor is crowned with success only in proportion as we gain a better understanding of God and His Christ. Thus it is that Christian Scientists are constant, consistent, daily students of the Bible. In this study the Bible is approached from the spiritual standpoint, since it is written from that standpoint. It was this spiritual understanding which Jesus labored so diligently to impart to his disciples. Christian Scientists are aided in their study of the Bible by their textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. It has been said that Christian Science has made more earnest students of the Bible than any other single agency. Surely, then, it cannot be called a religious peril.

The Christian Science teaching that matter is unreal is in strict accord with that of the Master. In the talk with his disciples, recorded in the sixth chapter of John's gospel, Jesus pointed out the allness of Spirit and the spiritual, as well as the nothingness of matter and the material. He said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing." Throughout his ministry, and in the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus demonstrated the supremacy of Spirit over the belief in matter and material conditions. He annulled every material so-called law. When, nearly half a century ago, Mrs. Eddy first gave the world her Christianly scientific statement of the unreality of matter, the matter-scientists, the intellectuals of that time, scoffed. To-day, however, we find the schools aligning themselves with Christian Science in its teaching relative to matter and material conditions. It would be difficult under these circumstances to characterize Christian Science as an intellectual peril.

Jesus gave to us but one audible prayer. This is known as the Lord's Prayer. It is used audibly in every Christian Science church service. The efficacy of prayer is freely acknowledged in Christian Science, and no religionist utilizes prayer more constantly than does the Christian Scientist. Christian Scientists have in mind Jesus' instructions relative to prayer given in the Sermon on the Mount as follows: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Mrs. Eddy devotes one whole chapter in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" to the subject of prayer. On page 4 of that book she writes as follows, "The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer." And she continues: "Audible prayer can never do the works of spiritual understanding, which regenerates; but silent prayer, watchfulness, and devout obedience enable us to follow Jesus' example."

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