In a recent issue of your paper there appeared a column...

Cyril G. Davies, Committee on Publication for the Transvaal, South Africa,

Pretoria News

In a recent issue of your paper there appeared a column quoted from The Kingdom, in which the Bishop of Pretoria referred to Christian Science. He stated that because Christian Science teaches the unreality of evil, its interpretation of him who "was made perfect through suffering" is so inadequate that the adjective Christian is unwarrantable.

The question therefore arises, What constitutes "Christian"? Webster's International Dictionary states that Christian means, "Pertaining to Christ or his religion;" and it further defines a "Christian" as: "One who believes, or professes or is assumed to believe, in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by him; ... especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed to the doctrines of Christ." Jesus Christ's imperative commands were: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect;" "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;" "Heal the sick."

Today Christian Science is proving the truth of its Christianly scientific teachings by overcoming discordant conditions in human affairs, and by the healing of sin and disease. Christian Scientists are, therefore, endeavoring to keep the commands of our Master, and "to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in them which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure" (Science and Health, p. 497). The teachings of Christian Science are based on the Bible.

Jesus proved the unreality of evil or matter by stilling the storm and walking on the sea and in the healing of all manner of diseases. His disciples and apostles also proved the unreality of evil in their healing works. In our time thousands of devoted men and women are proving in practical ways the unreality of evil. By this is meant that they are proving in some degree the allness of God and the nothingness of evil. That evil seems real to the five physical senses no Christian Scientist would deny. But the Bible tells us that God is Spirit, omnipotent, eternal, immutable, omniscient, omnipresent, incorruptible; the only Mind; perfect, immortal Love; and among His attributes are holiness, wisdom, power, justice, faithfulness, truth, mercy, goodness, love, and so on. If we really believe—understand and reflect—all these wonderful qualities and attributes of God, there surely is no place for belief in evil as real.

Habakkuk said of God, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity." It is evident that evil cannot exist in the spiritual realm, or kingdom of God. Jesus says the kingdom of God is within you, is here and now. Evil, therefore, can appear only in a material state of consciousness, or mortal mind. We are taught in the Bible that the carnal or mortal mind is temportal, and that real existence is spiritual. As we measurably put on the Mind that was in Christ Jesus, in that proportion shall we put off evil, or "the old man with his deeds." Anyone who thinks evil is real and cannot be overcome is believing in another power than God; that is, he is believing in another god and is breaking the First Commandment. If we believe that God is allpower—and the Bible says He is—then we cannot believe that evil has power. The carnal mind—which St. Paul says is "enmity against God"—is continually endeavoring to assert itself through mortals as supreme in power and place. But St. John tells us in Revelation that its destruction is sure.

The teachings of Christian Science are uplifting human thought to the contemplation of spiritual realities and spiritual laws. The practical application of these spiritual laws to human affairs brings increased health to the body, harmony and peace to homes, and decreases irritation, friction, and evil in business, public bodies, governments, and nations. These desirable conditions will be made manifest by denying power to evil and knowing the ever present allpower of God, and the perfection of man in His image and likeness. Creeds and dogmas do not help us to get rid of disease, to forsake sin, or to overcome lack and misery. "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing," said Christ Jesus. It is practical, operative Christianity we need today, and Christian Science is bringing this primitive Christianity, as Jesus taught it, to a waiting world. The Master said, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

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