Article March 12, 1949 Issue

Student proves that the law of harmony need only be applied to solve any human difficulty

THE PRINCIPLE OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

WILLIAM A. BRUNSVOLD

Because of its specific adaptability, Mary Baker Eddy was led to use the word "Principle" as one of the synonyms for God. In "No and Yes" she writes (p. 20): "when the term divine Principle is used to signify Deity it may seem distant or cold, until better apprehended. This Principle is Mind, substance, Life, Truth, Love. When understood, Principle is found to be the only term that fully conveys the ideas of God,—one Mind, a perfect man, and divine Science."

This divergence from the orthodox concept of Deity engendered much adverse criticism from church and press, one of the prevailing contentions being, as already indicated in the words just quoted by Mrs. Eddy, that the term was cold, abstract, and unyielding. This is not surprising in view of the fact that mankind in general has not fully grasped the true nature of God, a God who is all good, all Love.

The human concept of God is often patterned after the so-called material man and conceives of God as sending sickness and death to His children. This concept of God and His creation is erroneous and results in the very adversities mortals wish to avoid: discord, lack, unhappiness, sin, sickness, and death. It is the motivating influence behind mistaken prayers of pleading and appeasement.

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