Editorial October 28, 1933 Issue

"The Principle of Christian Science"

Duncan Sinclair

Christian Scientists rejoice in knowing God as Principle because the word conveys to them the sense of His absolute unchangeableness and permanence, besides giving them an understanding of Him as the cause of all that really exists. "What is the Principle of Christian Science?" asks Mrs. Eddy on page 1 of "Rudimental Divine Science," answering the question in the words: "It is God, the Supreme Being, infinite and immortal Mind, the Soul of man and the universe. It is our Father which is in heaven. It is substance, Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love,—these are the deific Principle." A wonderful definition of God! There is such a wealth of meaning in the definition that it will repay the most careful study.

Since God is Principle He never changes; His law never changes; His will never changes. And since He is infinite good the fact is established that good perpetually exists and is everywhere present—a marvelous truth, which remains unshaken no matter what the carnal mind may argue to the contrary. Indeed, the understanding of God as unchangeable Principle, as infinite good, denies reality to evil, to whatever appears to be the opposite of good. Having perceived the truth that God is infinite good, our Leader drew the conclusion that evil is devoid of Principle and is therefore unreal; that evil is but an erroneous concept of supposititious mortal mind. Christ Jesus knew the unreality of evil; for, as John records in the eighth chapter of his Gospel, the Master declared that "when he [the devil, evil] speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." The world is awakening, perhaps more quickly than many suppose, to the significance of this tremendous fact.

Principle, unchanging good, is as a rod of iron to all error, to evil in its every seeming phase, to every thought and deed that is not good. Because Principle is good and evil unreal, evil belief cannot indefinitely seem to continue. This applies to all manner of sin and disease. Christian Science practice proves beyond possibility of doubt that as an understanding is gained of the perfect and permanent nature of Principle, sin and disease disappear. Error by whatever name it may be called is but a shadow cast by material sense. The shadow vanishes as the light of Truth—spiritual understanding—shows the false nature of material sense. On page 395 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" it reads, "The same Principle cures both sin and sickness."

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