Article March 20, 1965 Issue

The Chemistry of Christian Science

ERNEST H. LYONS, JR.

The objective of the physical scientist is to obtain a greater measure of order, rationality, and dominion in his view of the material universe. To the extent that intelligence is exercised in this direction, the sciences hint, in various degrees, the absolute Science of the all-knowing Mind, God. From this relationship arises the capability of the sciences to bring to humanity a broader sense of abundance, enlarged scope of action in time and space, and release from superstition, or supposition of power where it does not in fact reside.

Physical sciences deal primarily with observations of the material senses. However, to achieve some measure of rationality, it is necessary to accept concepts which transcend and reverse sense impressions, often to a surprising extent. For example, acceptance of the sun as the center of our planetary system was once a difficult task for human thought, because this fact seemed to oppose what anyone could see.

In our own time, matter, which appears solid and inert, is nevertheless regarded as overwhelmingly empty space, through which unimaginably tiny particles of electrical energy and mass are whirring at enormous velocities— a view which must appear ridiculous to the uneducated thought. Nevertheless, it is a concept which has brought such a measure of intelligibility that it is commonly accepted as at least approximating fact.

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