Editorial February 3, 1962 Issue

Expanding the Means of Christianity

Helen Wood Bauman

History shows that Christianity holds within itself the impulsion to renew its own vigor, to freshen and strengthen its own inspiration and purpose, to go forward to higher achievements in regenerating humanity. Again and again new vitality has come to Christendom as individuals and groups have glimpsed the real import of the life of Christ Jesus and have brought back to the church he founded a better sense of his original teachings. However theological beliefs may wander from those simple teachings, the Master's precepts remain unchanged, a perpetual beacon in the dark desert of spiritual ignorance.

The forward impulsions of Christianity have come when they were most needed and exactly at times when there was wide receptivity to a higher understanding of Christliness. This was true in regard to the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy. That she has brought Christendom back to the original meaning of the teachings of Jesus is attested by the ability of adherents of Christian Science to heal sinful, sick, and impoverished people in great numbers. The Master said (John 14:12), "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also."

Mrs. Eddy provided the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," as a means of expanding Christianity in its healing Science. And she furnished other means, among them the Christian Science periodicals. She says in "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 52), "For many successive years I have endeavored to find new ways and means for the promotion and expansion of scientific Mind-healing, seeking to broaden its channels and, if possible, to build a hedge round about it that should shelter its perfections from the contaminating influences of those who have a small portion of its letter and less of its spirit."

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