Article April 7, 1923 Issue

"Man in God's image and likeness"

ELEANOR HOPPOCK LEONARD

In the first chapter of Genesis we read, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him." On page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we find the tenets of Christian Science, to which each one uniting with The First Church of Christ, Scientist, is required to subscribe. The second tenet contains this remarkable statement: "We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness." This sentence ever presents a solemn question to earnest Christian Scientists. Are we constantly striving to replace false material sense with the spiritual and true concept of man? Are we faithfully endeavoring to avoid bearing false witness against our neighbor? Or are we accepting the material and false view of life, which is constantly clamoring for recognition, claiming that sin, sickness, and death are present realities, and that salvation from them is to be found only at some distant period, when the portals of death shall have been passed?

Our Master's power over material conditions was based on his instant recognition of man as God's image and likeness; and Mrs. Eddy revealed again that glorious fact to this age. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you." Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 476): "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." Thus Jesus was enabled to cast devils from Mary Magdalene, heal Peter's mother-in-law, and raise Lazarus from the dead, as well as to perform other mighty works.

The constant endeavor to recognize man "in God's image and likeness" presents infinite possibilities of growth to the Christian Scientist. In each branch of church activity this tenet, when obeyed, is an unfailing guide to greater usefulness. If the Readers, ushers, and members of a church are faithfully subscribing to this tenet, our church services are attracting the wanderer and the wayfaring one, the Word of Truth spoken there is "rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas" (Science and Health, p. 583), our silent prayers are healing the sick, and our testimonies are recording them. With this standard constantly before us, we are proving in our Sunday schools that "they shall be all taught of God." Jesus said of little children, "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." When we recognize man as reflecting the divine substance, our church treasuries overflow, and all our rightful activities are abundantly provided for. The truth found in Mrs. Eddy's works and in the Christian Science periodicals is attracting to our Reading Rooms the weary and heavy-laden, and there they are finding rest and comfort in the knowledge of man's true existence. Our literature is going forth proclaiming the truth of being,—thereby giving food and drink to those hungering and thirsting after righteousness.

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