Article October 4, 1924 Issue

Christian Science neither overlooks nor neglects the...

Theodore Burkhart—Portland

Journal

Christian Science neither overlooks nor neglects the prime importance of salvation of the individual, but on the contrary, in both teaching and practice, strongly emphasizes the admonition of Jesus, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." Christian Science is also in accord with the practice of the master Christian in healing the body coincidentally with the healing of sin, thus proving that both sin and sickness may be overcome by the same Christianly metaphysical process. Jesus' words are, "Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" And in admonishing the patient who has been healed of some bodily ill, Christian Scientists further follow the example of Jesus by saying, "Go, and sin no more;" that is, Go, and henceforth think and live righteously, and repeat not past mistakes. Salvation, to be complete, must include salvation from every form of evil; and the healing of disease in Christian Science is but a proof that God is understood and His law correctly applied. It is interesting to note in this connection that in her published writings Mary Baker Eddy, the Discover and Founder of Christian Science, makes reference to sin far more frequently than to disease and sickness. In "Rudimental Divine Science" (p. 2) she says: "Healing physical sickness is the smallest part of Christian Science. It is only the bugle-call to thought and action, in the higher range of infinite goodness. The emphatic purpose of Christian Science is the healing of sin."