Article October 24, 1953 Issue

GOD'S CREATURES

ANNA COYKENDALL BOWLBY

Early in her experience as a student of Christian Science the writer lived on a ranch. There were many domestic animals on this ranch, and the success of the venture seemed to depend largely on their usefulness and well-being. From time to time there appeared destructive or injurious forms of animal life that needed to be subdued or controlled. In such a situation it was quite natural that this student should turn for guidance to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and in particular to the chapter entitled "Genesis."

In this chapter our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, unlocks the meaning of and makes clear the distinction between the first chapter in Genesis, with the true spiritual record of creation, and the second, with its contradictory and allegorical account. Man made in God's image and likeness is given dominion over the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field. In their expression of intelligence, the lesser ideas manifest less of divine Mind than does man. Upon these lesser ideas, however, God bestows some measure of His own nature and perfection. But the ability to be God's image is given to man alone. Our Leader writes (Science and Health, p. 550), "God is the Life, or intelligence, which forms and preserves the individuality and identity of animals as well as of men."

It is seen then that a Christian Scientist in his thought of and his dealing with animal life in its varied manifestations can never ignore his duty to see these creatures as actually perfect spiritual ideas, rather than to accept Adam's faulty concept of them. The individual who is striving to prove himself the image and likeness of God must include the true concept of the beasts of the field in his understanding of spiritual creation. His God-given dominion over them must be scientifically expressed.

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