Editorial March 22, 1941 Issue

Real versus Counterfeit Satisfaction

Alfred Pittman

Students of Christian Science are clearly admonished by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discover and Founder of this Science, to avoid altogether the use of tobacco and strong drink. Of the latter she writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 289) that it "is unquestionably an evil, and and evil cannot be used temperately: its slightest use is abuse; hence the only temperance is total abstinence." In a discussion of the means of demonstrating Christian Science, on pages 453 and 454 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she writes, "It need not be added that the use of tobacco or intoxicating drinks is not in harmony with Christian Science." And in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," she says further (p. 114), "Christian Science teaches: Owe no man; be temperate; abstain from alcohol and tobacco," adding in the same sentence certain other teachings.

To beginners in this Science who have been accustomed to smoking and drinking, these statements have sometimes seemed severely restrictive, but it has usually not been long before the same students have seen that the admonitions are in fact compassionate and liberative, like the rest of Mrs. Eddy's instruction. Such students have found not only that it was practical for them to obey the counsel, but that in doing so they experienced far greater satisfaction than before.

It is plain that both smoking and the drinking of intoxicants represent and cultivated dependence on materiality, and, on the other hand, that the rich blessings of Christian Science arise from a lessening of such dependence. The student of this Science early sees that, in the words of Christ Jesus, "It is the sprit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing;" and proportionally as he recognizes and demonstrates this fact, his human experience is improved. It is evident, further, that nicotine and alcohol are drugs, the common effect of both of which is to dull spirtual perception, whereas all the gain of Christian Science comes through the clearing of such perception.

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