Article October 27, 1945 Issue

Consider the Context

INEZ FIELD DAMON

Christian Science challenges thought. It is impossible to continue constant in prayerful study of the Bible and of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and other writings by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, without increasing one's capacity for clear analytical thinking. One necessity in Christian Science study is to consider statements in connection with their context. Frequently the relation of one statement to another throws added light upon both. The student of Christian Science will find many such instances in his reading. Three typical illustrations are here offered, two from Science and Health and one from the Bible.

On page 206 of the textbook. Mrs. Eddy writes. "In the scientific relation of God to man, we find that whatever blesses one blesses all, as Jesus showed with the loaves and the fishes,—Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply." Is a Christian Scientist ever tempted to quote jauntily, "Whatever blesses one blesses all"? Let him remember that this is a phrase torn from its context; Mrs. Eddy does not make this as an unqualified statement. Such a statement could not be made without reservation, since it is obvious that it may not always be true in human experience. On a mortal mind level it may be found that what seems of advantage to one individual may be of distinct disadvantage to another.

Mrs. Eddy states clearly the condition under which it is true that "whatever blesses one blesses all," namely, when the statement is accompanied by the consciousness of "the scientific relation of God to man," and of "Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply." Therefore the working out of any problem of supply—health, finance, or whatever it may be— will bless every individual connected with the situation only if the work is based on the awareness of man's spiritual status as a child of God, and of God, Spirit, as the source of all good.

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