In Christ's Name

CLARA SCHRADER STREETER

When Jesus imparted an understanding of the Science of healing to his followers and sent them forth to spread the gospel of the kingdom of heaven and to heal all manner of disease, he authorized them to do so in his name. In this way he differentiated his doctrine from all other teachings of the times. His fame having spread throughout Syria, wherever he went great multitudes followed him. It was necessary that his faithful disciples, in learning to do the healing work, should know the spiritual nature and origin of the gospel he proclaimed. Jesus demonstrated the Christ, the divine idea of God, thus establishing in human consciousness the recognition of man's oneness with the Father. His healing works followed as a natural sequence of his teaching. The gospel, or good tidings about the kingdom of heaven, which he plainly revealed to his disciples, was unique and could not be attached to any creed or dogma. In the fulfilling of prophecy, it must stand alone and proclaim its divine nature. It declared Immanuel—"God with us"—and was to be known, through demonstration, as the gospel of Jesus Christ and be protected from misrepresentation.

As Christ Jesus identified his word and works with the Father, saying, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works," so his followers were to acknowledge him as "the author and finisher" of their faith. This recognition of the Christ enabled them to look away from personal efforts to prove their faith by their works and to claim grace and ability according to the gift of Christ.

Explaining the agreement of Science with Christianity, Mrs. Eddy, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 135), says, "Christianity as Jesus taught it was not a creed ... it was the demonstration of divine Love casting out error and healing the sick, not merely in the name of Christ, or Truth, but in demonstration of Truth, as must be the case in the cycles of divine light." Today we gratefully acknowledge Christian Science, the discovery of Mary Baker Eddy, as the revelation of the Christ, as the Comforter, coming, as was promised, to lead "into all truth." Mrs. Eddy authorized the use of her name in connection with the mention of her teachings in order that this divinely inspired revelation of Truth might be known and demonstrated in its pristine purity and power, and transmitted intact to future generations.

In identifying Mrs. Eddy as the Discoverer of the Christ Science, we also associate her, as Founder, with the spreading abroad of this new-old gospel of the kingdom of heaven which Jesus taught and demonstrated with "signs following." Today, Christian Science is recognized by the healing works which are done, not merely in "the name of Christ, or Truth, but in demonstration of Truth." It verifies Jesus' statement, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Through her spiritual interpretation of the Scriptures, Mrs. Eddy has given to the world a new understanding of Jesus' words and works and reduced the divine metaphysics of healing to a simple, practical system which even a little child may learn to use successfully. Bible statements and accounts which formerly were mysterious and impractical, because not understood, are now explained in an intelligent manner, opening up the purposes of God dimly discerned by prophet and apostle, and making them demonstrable in human experience.

As Jesus revealed the fatherhood of God, so Christian Science makes plain the motherhood of God, completing the revelation to human consciousness of the Father-Mother God, whose unity and harmony are reflected by all the sons and daughters of His spiritual creation. Herein is divine Love made manifest, bringing the Comforter to human understanding, even as of old God revealed His love, as expressed in the Psalmist's words, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him," and as voiced by the prophet, "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you."

The world at the present time has great need of the mother-comfort of God which comes to us in divine Science, healing sickness, sin, poverty, and meeting the needs of humanity through spiritual understanding and in a more universal manner. The way of the Comforter leads to "the beauty of holiness" and the perfection of being as possible of realization and demonstration by every human being. What comfort is expressed in Mrs. Eddy's tender admonition where she says (Science and Health, pp. 573, 574): "Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus' words, 'The kingdom of God is within you.' This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility."

Copyright, 1932, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.

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