Article September 19, 1953 Issue

THE NEW TONGUE

GRACE BANKS SAMMONS

The great interest being shown in new Bible translations evidences the deep desire of the Christian world for a clearer meaning of the Scriptures—the spiritual understanding which will make the Bible practical in our present and daily experience. Translation in many instances has much to do with meaning as well as with words, and it is the spiritual approach which most concerns the Christian Scientist.

Mary Baker Eddy, the beloved Leader of Christian Science, states in "Christian Healing" (p. 7), "'The new tongue' is the spiritual meaning as opposed to the material." Also in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" she says (p. 180), "A spiritual understanding of the Scriptures restores their original tongue in the language of Spirit, that primordial standard of Truth."

In the last chapter of Mark's Gospel the new tongue would seem to be identified with the spiritual understanding which heals, because it mentions Christ Jesus in connection with the healing of all manner of evil, such as taking up serpents, casting out devils, and healing the sick—such healing to be accomplished by them that believe. Jesus added, "They shall speak with new tongues; ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

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