Editorial June 8, 1981 Issue

"... a clearing up of abstractions"

DeWITT JOHN

There's nothing abstract, in the sense of mere theory, about the Christianity Christ Jesus taught. His teachings gained realism through works of healing. His illustrations were concrete, his precepts luminous with practical meaning. Words and works pulsated with a tender caring for mankind, radiating an ineffable divine affection that profoundly stirs the heart. To his disciples he gave transcendent counsel with infinite patience; to the multitudes he spoke recognizable parables of exceptional depth.

So pure was his understanding of God, Spirit, that he was able to walk on the water. But compassionately he met people where they were mentally and walked with them to lift them higher. How succinctly Mary Baker Eddy describes his life-example illustrating the divine reaching the human: "The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus."^{Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 25.}

Likewise, Christian Science is not abstract in the sense of theory without demonstration. Quite simply, it is the demonstrable Science of the Master's teachings and practice. Its Christlike spirit, meeting the human need through divine Love, shines through the words of its Discoverer and Founder. Mrs. Eddy writes, "The tender word and Christian encouragement of an invalid, pitiful patience with his fears and the removal of them, are better than hecatombs of gushing theories, stereotyped borrowed speeches, and the doling of arguments, which are but so many parodies on legitimate Christian Science, aflame with divine Love."^{Ibid., p. 367.}

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