Article May 7, 1927 Issue

David Starr Jordan spoke correctly when he said, "Religion,...

Albert E. Lombard, Committee on Publication for Southern California,

Denney Champion

David Starr Jordan spoke correctly when he said, Religion, like love, can be suppressed and perverted, but religion is the foundation upon which all rest," as quoted in a recent issue of the Champion. The religion established by Christ Jesus is the true religion, because the truth was the foundation of Jesus' teachings. He said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Then, on the basis of Dr. Jordan's statement, all must rest upon the foundation of spiritual truth which Jesus laid. But did Jesus depend on the evidence of the senses, as Dr. Jordan urges? Did not Jesus question the evidence of the senses when he said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing"? Also, did not Paul point out the inadequacy of the "wisdom of this world," which depends so largely on the evidence of the senses? The material senses are not dependable. For instance, they deceive us when they claim that the two parallel rails of a railroad track meet in the distance, and when they say that the sun "rises" in the east and "sets" in the west.

Mary Baker Eddy lifted her thought above the evidence of the senses, and turned unqualifiedly to the inspired words of the Bible to learn the truth about God, man, and the universe. To her, Christ Jesus was the Way-shower, from whom she learned the spiritual facts which reverse the evidence of the material senses. From this spiritual evidence, Mrs. Eddy rediscovered the healing method of Jesus, and gave her discovery to the world, so that a great multitude have been healed of organic and functional diseases and of sin. Mary Baker Eddy's religion—Christian Science—has no relation to "spiritism, occultism, theosophy, reincarnations, ghosts, graveyard rabbit feet, and the entire range of legends and superstitions" which were mentioned in your explanation of Dr. Jordan's remarks, because these various systems and beliefs have no place in Jesus' teachings, which are the essence of Christian Science. There is nothing "grotesque and mysterious" about Christian Science healing of the sick and sinning. Jesus applied the truth of spiritual law, and the natural effect was physical freedom. Likewise, the Christian Scientist, in obedience to the instructions of the Master, heals the sick and sinful, and thus proves his faith by his works.

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