Article September 17, 1927 Issue

In a disquisition on "The Deep Need of the Human Heart"...

George C. Palmer, Committee on Publication for the Province of Saskatchewan,—Regina

Leader

In a disquisition on "The Deep Need of the Human Heart" in your recent issue, Dr. Salem Bland refers to Christian Science in a way that is misleading. Christian Science cannot find company in "any brood of kindred faiths" for it is planted solely on the statements of God's law made by Christ Jesus, his entire teaching and his demonstrations of salvation and health supporting his doctrines. According to the text of the above article (in part) Christian Science "recommends in the treatment of our souls such words as calmness, quietness, stillness, and such ideas as relaxation and surrender." This is placing the matter backwards. It is true that in her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes, "The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace" (p. 506), and on page 9, speaking of the command to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," she says, "This command includes much, even the surrender of all merely material sensation, affection, and worship;" but calmness and quietness can only be effects and not cause, and are experiences only in proportion to one's obedience to divine law. What is the use of ordering someone laboring under a terrible visitation of dread or fear to be calm or quiet, unless you can remove the cause of the misapprehension?

Offsetting the impression given that Christian Scientists have naught to do but to be calm and quiet, we may find many sentences indicating the need of the Christian's whole armor. The following is one: "The habitual struggle to be always good is unceasing prayer" (Science and Health, p. 4). Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." In other words: Live in accordance with my teaching, emulate my demonstrations of God's care, and you shall be fed and clothed, and all things necessary shall be added unto you. This is the teaching of Christian Science.

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