Throughout the ages the spiritual teachings of the Bible have brought untold comfort to great numbers of the human race. In its inspired pages constant appeal is made to the children of men to put their trust in God's willingness to heal and save, to protect and deliver. Witness, as example, the words of Isaiah: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear;" and those of the Psalmist, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust." As the humble in heart have prayerfully turned to helpful passages such as these, their faith in God has been strengthened, comfort has come to them, and, frequently, deliverance from grievous trouble.

Faith in God, and especially the faith induced by Christianity, has done marvelous things. "The history of Christianity," writes Mrs. Eddy on page 387 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, omnipotent Mind, who gives man faith and understanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering." How faith and understanding have acted as a defense is seen in the history of the early Christian church: the fact of the persistence of the church, in spite of the persecution which was directed against it, is itself proof of the power of the faith and understanding its members possessed. Precisely the same can be said of the Christians of later times. The Pilgrim Fathers, for instance, were divinely guided to seek freedom to worship God in the land of their adoption, and the faith and understanding they had, protected them in the midst of numerous trials.

It cannot be denied that the faith of many Christians throughout the centuries has been crude and weak, because lacking the support of spiritual understanding, that is, understanding of God and His creation. Still, in so far as it indicated trust in good, it helped to sustain those who possessed it. Christian Science throws great light on this question, showing the intimate connection between faith and understanding, and between these and divine protection and deliverance. It gives the student an exact knowledge of God and of His creation and law, whereby his faith in God becomes firmly founded and he is enabled to rise above the false sense of material law which in belief binds mortals to suffering and distress. Faith in God, Spirit, based on an understanding of Him, cannot fail to empower those who possess it to overcome materiality.

What does Christian Science say about God and His creation and law? it teaches God's allness, as Spirit or Mind; that God's creation consists entirely of ideas, and is therefore altogether spiritual, and that God's law—spiritual law—directs each and all of His ideas. Thus controlled, how wonderfully protected is God's creation! Each idea of it, governed by absolutely perfect law, is as perfect in degree as God Himself, as immortal as God Himself. No injury can possibly be inflicted on God's creation, since it is ever under the law of perfect Love. Further, Christian Science teaches that God is infinite Spirit, or Mind, teaching which gives the lie to so-called matter and evil.

As the student grasps these truths and so gains an understanding of God and His creation and of the safety of that creation, only one result can follow: his faith in God becomes substantial and firm. He no longer doubts the wisdom and power of the creator, of whom our Leader writes (Science and Health, p. 70), "The divine Mind maintains all identities, from a blade of grass to a star, as distinct and eternal." He is certain that since man, God's idea, is maintained by perfect divine law, his identity or individuality is eternally preserved.

Mortals appear to have to wage a constant struggle with matter and evil, or with material sense, which seemingly testifies to the reality of these, thus in belief opposing spiritual understanding. There is but one way to master this sense and its falsities, namely, through understanding and faith in God. As knowledge of God and His ideas takes possession of human consciousness, the errors of material sense are displaced and harmony is proportionally experienced. That is what occurs in the healing of disease in Christian Science. As our Leader puts it on page 61 of "Retrospection and Introspection," "If you rule out every sense of disease and suffering from mortal mind, it cannot be found in the body."

The world is greatly in need of deliverance from the bondage of materiality and evil. In human belief war is raging today, with human passions furiously let loose. The Christian Scientist cannot doubt what his work should be, namely, to still this storm. He must constantly align himself in thought with spiritual truth, affirming the perfection of real being, and denying evil, whatever form it may seem to take. He must affirm the truth about man, perseveringly, and with unwavering faith in the power of Truth to destroy the false belief of evil.

For every manifestation of good throughout the centuries we give thanks; for the faith and fortitude of all who have contributed to the world's good we give thanks. As Christian Scientists our gratitude is profound for the knowledge of God which Christian Science has brought us, and for the faith it has inspired which empowers us prophetically to see the end of all evil and the perpetual reign of harmony and peace.

Duncan Sinclair