Editorial March 18, 1933 ISSUE

Christian Science Baptism

W. Stuart Booth

Many who are now Christian Scientists were associated formerly with churches where various forms, rites, and rituals constituted at least some part of the religious services. It has been a matter of surprise and wonderment that those who previously had been impressed by and had enjoyed ceremonial church worship now find a great degree of satisfaction and peace in the simple services held in Christian Science churches. The explanation lies in the fact that Christian Science preserves whatever is good in the former religious beliefs and practices of its students, and furnishes the true spiritual sense and substance of the truths symbolized in ceremonials and forms.

For instance, Mrs. Eddy's teachings stress the importance, yes, the necessity, of baptism in connection with Christian healing and happiness, with spiritual progress and prosperity. However, this is not the baptism of John, but of Jesus—that is, it is not physical, but metaphysical. In referring to the coming of Christ Jesus, John the Baptist said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." And the beloved disciple, referring to immersion, wrote that "Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples." The Master was a scientific Christian, dealing with mental causes instead of physical effects as was shown in his healing and reformative works: the sick were healed and the sin-bound were released and reformed by the spiritual power which impelled and supported his denial of the wrong thoughts that lay back of the discordant manifestation. This was the baptism of the Holy Ghost, or the purification of thought by spiritual power and means.

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