Article May 7, 1966 Issue

"The burden of proof"

LUCETTE S. RAGSDALE

Mrs. Eddy says, "The burden of proof that Christian Science is Science rests on Christian Scientists." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 158; In the earliest days of Christian Science, this burden rested on one lone individual—Mrs. Eddy. Through the inspiration which came to her from God and with the protection of His law, she proved beyond doubt that the revelation which came to her is the absolute truth, not a human contention; that it is scientific because it is based on unchanging Principle. With the revelation, she accepted the obligation to offer evidence in support of it. Having done this, she calls upon her followers to continue the proof lest the case be lost for future generations.

Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13; After God called Mrs. Eddy to be His messenger to this age, she literally laid down her human life to benefit mankind. Even Mark Twain, who was one of her critics, later acknowledged that Mrs. Eddy was "the benefactor of the age." Her whole life purpose, which she invites us to share with her, was to give to the world an understanding of the practical, demonstrable Science, revealed to her by divine Love. No one, save Mrs. Eddy herself, can fully comprehend what it meant to be the Discoverer and Founder of our great Cause; but can we not pause and endeavor to realize, even if faintly, the value of her lifework and then gratefully accept the obligation to offer to the world evidence of healing worthy of belief?

The complete and final revelation of reality came to Mrs. Eddy from God. She discovered the absolute truth of God and of man's relation to Him through her inspired study of the Bible and implemented the concept of a church organization, which she founded to protect and communicate the divine message unfolded to her as she listened steadfastly for divine Mind's directing. The spiritual message and the means for communicating it are both necessary for the demonstration and continued progress of Christian Science, and they cannot be separated the one from the other.

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