Article September 30, 1922 Issue

The Importance of Christian Science

J. MARSHALL HALL

In Hebrews Paul writes, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." In the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, it is written (p. 170): "Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress." Christian Science is the Science of divine Mind. It teaches and demonstrates the truth, and reforms thinking. In fact, after mastering some of the fundamentals of Christian Science one finds that heretofore he has done but little real thinking: he has been mostly guessing. An important question is, Of what importance is thinking in life? Yet, what is there in life that one can do without right thinking? Who are they that hold the most important offices in our commercial, industrial, social, and political life to-day? Are they not the thinkers? Was there ever a ditch dug, a cake baked, or a song sung without thought? Looking over the nations of the earth today, do we not find the foremost of them those which are expressing intelligence most clearly, whether in theology, commerce, or government?

Christian Science has set the standard of right thinking. It explains the divine Principle of all right thought to be God, and shows that every effect is directly the result of a mode of thought. How true, then, are Mrs. Eddy's words in regard to "spiritual causation," as given above. Since every function of existence is the expression of thought, is it not of paramount importance to have a knowledge of the rules, laws, and Science of correct thinking? Does not what has been said imply that there can be no better way to uplift mankind than to bring about reform in our mental processes? Who would say that this did not underlie the mission of Christ Jesus? Our very salvation, the perpetuation of genuine democracy, and the further liberation from sin, disease, poverty, and the grave will be in proportion to the righteousness of the thinking of the nations. There never was a crime committed which was not preceded by a criminal mental impulse. How important, then, to know how to check such an impulse! Erroneous mental arguments, manifesting themselves in dark plots and vile schemes, defrauding the perpetrator of his own liberty, and instilling fear and timidity into the community, can be destroyed in Christian Science, which teaches that God is our protection. What blessings to those behind prison walls can be realized through the method of Christian Science, which teaches how to change thought, how to remove the dark visions of crime and replace them with pure desires for peace and goodness! Paul spoke of the transition as putting "off the old man with his deeds." This process of replacing in thought the wrong desire with the spiritual idea was the healing method practiced by Jesus. It goes back through the Old Testament, and comes down from the past ages to the present day. It will ultimately lift all mankind out of material beliefs, so that there will finally be no more wars, no sick wards, no prison walls, for man will love his neighbor as himself.

A nation may enact laws to remove intoxicating liquors, laws which will stop the sale of tobacco and other narcotics; and these are good laws,—great steps toward a higher civilization. But the gross forms of mental depravity cannot simply be legislated away, medical practice will not cure them, psychology cannot cope with them, for a man's thoughts are ever with him. "Here," as Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 407), "Christian Science is the sovereign panacea, giving strength to the weakness of mortal mind,—strength from the immortal and omnipotent Mind,—and lifting humanity above itself into purer desires, even into spiritual power and good-will to man." In the words of the Master, "Ye must be born again."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

The Cross and the Crown