Article August 16, 1924 Issue

The Place of Christian Science in Education

RALPH WALDO SMITH

In the chapter entitled "Science, Theology, Medicine" in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy has written (pp. 141, 142), "Give to it [Christian Science] the place in our institutions of learning now occupied by scholastic theology and physiology, and it will eradicate sickness and sin in less time than the old systems, devised for subduing them, have required for self-establishment and propagation." Many years ago, when the writer was becoming interested in Christian Science and first read this passage, it seemed to him rather an abstract statement of a broad claim. Later, however, and after a better understanding of this Science, he had the opportunity to see the application of it while attending as a student one of America's oldest and greatest institutions of learning.

While there he recognized the mesmerism arising from egotism, vanity, fashion, and pride of intellect, which beguiled many into the popular belief that education is a process of accretion consisting in a great accumulation of facts, instead of unfoldment. Few will deny that education should be an excellent and desirable thing; but in so far as it is given preference over spiritual development, it ceases to be so. What do mere educational advantages amount to if the student does not know that intelligence and wisdom are purely spiritual and of God? Of what avail is a master's diploma in time of trouble if the student does not know God well enough to think of Him as Father-Mother and turn to Him for help? The most necessary education any one can ever have is that which teaches him the truth about God; for this and nothing else will help him to find eternal life, health, and peace.

It is not always easy to keep one's thoughts steadfast amid the mesmerisms of college life. This readily emphasizes the importance of the Christian Science Sunday School and Christian Science work among the younger people of the home. The Sunday school is doing a noble work; for it is helping to build a house whose foundation is laid on the Rock, Christ. Think what it means to a boy to be able to carry into college life an understanding of God on which he can rely to keep his consciousness clear and so avoid being hypnotized by human opinion and human emotion—an understanding which enables him to be alert and to protect himself from the numerous fallacies that are yet taught, consciously or unconsciously, on such subjects as psychology, physiology, worldly success, politices, et cetera. These frequently tend to prevent the development of that humility without which no great accomplishments are made.

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