Article November 29, 1924 Issue

We frankly admit that the Christian Science view of God...

Edwin C. Buck, Committee on Publication for the State of New Hampshire,—Derry

Times

We frankly admit that the Christian Science view of God and man is different from that held by other churches, as is also our interpretation of many portions of the Scriptures. For example, we believe that Jesus meant what he said when he stated: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." "And these signs shall follow them that believe; ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

There are two creations recorded in Genesis. The first creation recorded is that of man made in the image and likeness of God; and inasmuch as the Scriptures declare that God is Spirit, this man must be spiritual. The second creation recorded is that of man made of dust, and not in the image and likeness of God. There can be little doubt that this second record is allegorical, for its parallel is to be found in the legends of many of the world's peoples without regard to religion. The relation which exists between God and man must be shown by the first creation, where man is made in God's image and likeness. This is the real man, which Mrs. Eddy distinguishes from the unreal material concept of man. And Mrs. Eddy's use of the word "real" in this connection has the support of all lexicographers in that "real" means that which has existence as opposed to that which is nonexistent, impermanent, and unrelated to the absolute.

That Mrs. Eddy's position in this regard is wholly tenable, and that he who builds on the theory that matter is substance builds on sand, is borne out by the testimony of physical scientists. Lord Balfour said that we "explain matter by explaining it away." Professor Fiske states, "Apart from consciousness there are no such things as color, form, position, or hardness, and there is no such thing as matter." Grant Allen writes, "The universe, as known to us, consists wholly of mind, and matter is a doubtful and uncertain inference of human intelligence." Numerous like statements could be cited.

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