A Heart-to-heart Talk

Nat Baker

The Inter-State Elk

The more I study it—and I am always ready to investigate and study—the more I believe in Christian Science. It might, perhaps, be termed the Science of Christianity; and more properly still, the meekness of Christianity.

During the past ten years I have watched the advocates of Christian Science, I have listened to the scoffers, and heard the arguments of the reasoners; and in the interim I have plodded along, intent on doing right, and have concluded thuswise:—

First, no man expects to succeed unless he at least pretends to be right morally and religiously. If he convinces the world he is right, he at least succeeds for a time. Second, having demonstrated that one can succeed if he successfully pretends to be right, it naturally follows that if he is right his election is sure. "There's a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will."

Again, there is a divinity that guards us. If we but seek it we can feel this, even as we feel the friendship of our fellows. A mortal man says, "I am ill." He forthwith sends for a physician—some other mortal man who has studied medicine and its uses—and pins his faith in that mortal man, while ignoring the healing power of man's Maker. What an exhibition of judgment! Every dumb brute, every bird, every living thing outside of man is its own physician, in that it is completely under the will of Divinity. But man, because of his "superior intellect," takes the bit in his teeth, ignores Divinity, attempts to cure himself, and—the undertakers are busy and the gravevards filled.

I believe in the efficacy of prayer. I believe that every man who communes with his Maker is a better man; I believe he sees his way more clearly in life. As he sees his way more clearly, and pursues it, he naturally occupies a better place in the opinions of those with whom he seeks companionship; and if he is thus improved socially and morally, why should he not be improved physically?

There is a tendency toward higher ideals throughout the entire world. People are talking peace and good fellowship where formerly they talked war. The flowers that bloom in the fields are attracting the attention of strongmen, who used to tread upon them with the remark that flowers were for women and swords for men. To-day a man is according to his love for his fireside; according to his belief in and reverence for a Supreme Being. it he believes in God and loves his fellow-man he is fit to come among us," declare the Elks of to-day, and woe be to him who seeks admission and cannot answer in the affirmative. And thus it goes. Thus advances Christianity—Christian Science—the Science of Christianity—the Science of intelligence.

This has been a very curious world. It is curious yet, for that matter—curious because we are too ignorant to understand it. Ask the ordinary man if he trusts in God, and he answers, Yes; yet in less than a minute he trusts in nothing but himself, and he is in constant chase for that which is valueless to him save as a source of momentary pride; and we all know that pride precedes nothing but a fall. The Science of Christianity is simple, yet the world has been long in rising to the occasion. Every true mother teaches it to her son. In early manhood it seems so simple that it is thrown aside to master something more difficult and imaginary. But there comes an hour when all return to it, when we murmur in truth:—

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

and then, indeed, even though we live this life but a minute, it is as a disciple of Christian Science.

Yes, indeed; I am an advocate of Christian Science as I understand it. The more closely a man lives to his Maker the more closely is he cemented to, not only his fellow-man, but to all that is best in life.

It is true that a father will protect, love, and guard over a faithful child. No less is it true that the Great Father protects, loves, and guards over all who are faithful to Him. It is a simple study; so simple that all may understand it if they will.

Nat Baker [Editor].
The Inter-State Elk.

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