Article March 25, 1939 Issue

Principle, not Person

W. STUART BOOTH

It is of deep significance that throughout his ministry among men Christ Jesus consistently strove to turn the thoughts of his followers away from his human personality to the divine Principle of being, whom he referred to as "my Father, and your Father." For instance, to the rich young man who had addressed him as "Good Master," Jesus said, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Although he ever claimed his spiritual unity with the Father, divine Mind, Christ Jesus accorded to God all glory and power in connection with the marvelous healing works whereby he conclusively verified his message and mission.

When speaking prophetically to his disciples of his spiritual ascension, the Master endeavored to have them see that it was necessary that he personally should leave them in order that they might be receptive of the Comforter, the impersonal, immutable, immortal impartation or expression of good, in other words, the Christ. After Mary Magdalene had recognized the risen Saviour at the tomb, he evidently felt her personal sense, for he said to her, "Touch me not," which has been well translated as, "Do not cling to me." Christ Jesus had ceased to cling to a limited, personalized sense of self, for he knew himself as God's reflection; and he desired to have his faithful followers share in this glorious, liberating vision of man's true identity.

This fundamental teaching of the Master was clearly perceived by Mary Baker Eddy, and was plainly and practically presented in her inspired writings. Thus in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 473), in referring to Christ Jesus' teaching and practice of Christianity, she says that in order "to reach his example and to test its unerring Science according to his rule, healing sickness, sin, and death, a better understanding of God as divine Principle, Love, rather than personality or the man Jesus, is required." That Mrs. Eddy possessed this spiritual understanding of God as divine Principle, Love, was proved by the many impressive healing works wrought by her, and later by her students. The fact that her writings set forth the spiritual truths taught and exemplified by Christ Jesus is shown in the continuing healing and regenerative effects which bless the students of the Christian Science textbook.

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