Article April 24, 1926 Issue

"The bugle-call"

FRANCIS ROWLAND BALL

On page 2 of "Rudimental Divine Science" by Mary Baker Eddy, following the question, "Is healing the sick the whole of Science?" we find the clear statement: "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." To those who have come to Christian Science for the healing of physical sickness, this shows that the gaining of freedom from illness is but "the smallest part" of the blessing which may accrue from Christian Science. Those who are healed in Christian Science know that their thought is cleansed of much that is unlike God, good; and as they are lifted out of erroneous beliefs, and ideas of Truth gain ground in their consciousness, this produces change of action. One in consequence becomes more loving, has a greater desire for purity, and also becomes more useful. One's life, one's activities, express more of good, and one begins to discern "the higher range of infinite goodness."

In the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says on page 492: "Being is holiness, harmony, immortality. It is already proved that a knowledge of this, even in small degree, will uplift the physical and moral standard of mortals, will increase longevity, will purify and elevate character;" and a little farther on in the same paragraph she says, "New thoughts are constantly obtaining the floor."

When "the bugle-call" is once heeded by a mortal, the consequent striving to gain the understanding of Truth and the practice of this new knowledge bring to consciousness many new thoughts, which are "constantly obtaining the floor." When one sees, through these revelations, the truth about any individual place or condition, this knowledge cannot be altered or robbed of its right fruitage; and it is only material sense that would testify oppositely. The student of Christian Science soon learns that to gain Truth, all material evidence must be reversed. And when the temptation comes to believe that the good one has learned and knows can be altered or reversed by some untoward circumstance, then is the time to turn to the spiritual sense of things and declare for the allness of God, good, when a higher manifestation will be reached.

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