Article October 25, 1941 Issue

"The most active human faculty"

MAE TUCKER

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," its author, Mary Baker Eddy, says (p. 327), "Reason is the most active human faculty." Mankind is constantly exercising this faculty in its efforts to choose between good and evil, and to ascertain the correct methods to be utilized in the adjustment of human affairs.

We learn in Christian Science that when we reason from the standpoint of materiality we get incorrect results, since we are starting with a belief in the reality of a material universe and a mortal man subject to the limitations and fallacies of the corporeal senses. Reasoning from spiritual premises results in our discernment of the universe as spiritual, created by God and peopled with His spiritual ideas. This type of reasoning leads to the recognition of the scientific unity which forever exists between God and man. Mrs. Eddy says in "Unity of Good" (p. 54): "To admit that sin hasany claim whatever, just or unjust, is to admit a dangerous fact. Hence the fact must be denied; for if sin's claim be allowed in any degree, then sin destroys the at-one-ment, or oneness with God,—a unity which sin recognizes as its most potent and deadly enemy." An understanding of this unity is a sure foundation upon which to build.

The study of mathematics provides a good training in human reasoning. When it is recognized that the problems arising in our daily living can be solved as accurately as a mathematical problem, we shall face them with the same assurance as does the student of mathematics, knowing their solution is dependent upon an honest application of essential rules. We accept as demonstrable the higher problems in mathematics because we are able to prove the simpler calculations. In the same way we acknowledge the efficacy of Christian Science, when accepted as unequivocally and adhered to as strictly. The simplest mathematical problem solved by applying the correct rules, proves the precision of mathematical law; similarly, one healing, however small, accomplished through the application of the divine metaphysics of Christian Science, furnishes conclusive proof of the scientific basis of its teaching. In each instance we receive the correct answer to our problem when we follow the rules, and any errors are recognized and proved to be merely mistakes.

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