WHAT IS TRUTH?
Jesus' declaration, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," is very frequently quoted by Christian Scientists. Lord Bacon begins his essay on Truth with the remark that when Pilate jestingly asked, "What is truth," he did not stay for an answer; but while this great philosopher discusses the comparative merits of truth and falsehood, he brings us no nearer the solution of Pilate's query. This question has been indeed the question of the ages. It is answered, however, by Jesus in a way that is at once convincing and satisfying, and it would be well for all who are seeking the truth to look for it in the light of his teaching, for the words quoted above will answer the question satisfactorily for all who believe on him to-day.
That which Christ Jesus named "my word," defined the realm, scope, or kingdom of Truth. He declared that the truth is included in the word which is distinctively characteristic of his teachings. His word expressed God, and God is the fulness of truth. If we would know the truth, we shall find it in harmony with Jesus' word, for it is nowhere else to be found. And what was the word which was characteristic of Jesus' teachings? What peculiarity separated that word from the teaching of the rabbis of his time? The word is the expression of thought, and in his thought Jesus practically recognized God as man's helper, his creator, omnipotent, omniscient. God, good, was to him All-in-all. Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 52), "The 'man of sorrows' best understood the nothingness of material life and intelligence and the mighty actuality of all-inclusive God, good." His word was the consistent expression of this thought, and in this it was characteristic of all his work; but the world, asleep in the belief of matter, did not know or obey his word—it could not see things from his standpoint. Mrs. Eddy adds, "His master was Spirit; their master was matter. He served God; they served mammon. His affections were pure; theirs were carnal" (Ibid., p. 52). The Master offended their material belief,—his word, being the expression of Spirit, is contrary to many of the world's most cherished ideals. From Jesus' standpoint the most noble are those who see God, and the condition of seeing God is purity of heart. Entrance into the kingdom of Truth is to the loving, the meek. Material thought does not accept this teaching, and is therefore barred from the kingdom, for Jesus' words imply the direct conclusion that whatever is not in harmony with this word is of error or untrue.
The boundaries of Truth's realm are defined by Jesus' word. Further, the practical expression of his thought was, "Preach the gospel;" "Heal the sick." When he sent forth the twelve and again the seventy, his commission was to preach and to heal. His word in respect to healing does not include a single appeal to drugs, hygiene, or medicine. His dependence was wholly upon God, Mind, Spirit. He healed through the power of Spirit, not matter. Had he depended upon material remedies he would have instructed his students as to their use. This word of the great Teacher, "Heal the sick," has never been abrogated, withdrawn, nor disannulled, and surely none of his disciples are justified in denying or disregarding such an important and imperative portion of his word.
These words of Jesus declare also the condition of knowing the truth,—"If ye continue in my word." This suggests the thought that the task before the searcher for the truth may not be an entirely simple one. At times circumstances and occasions may arise that would tempt one to turn from Jesus' word. The rediscovery of hid treasures may mean toil and sacrifice. The rich soil has within it promise of a bountiful harvest to the husbandman, but it means labor, effort, and patient waiting before the grain is garnered into the storehouse. On the mount of transfiguration the disciples caught a vision of the real, but a long road lay before them ere it became a constantly realized experience. In one place Jesus speaks of the condition of discipleship as the taking up of the cross and following him. The Christian Scientist is engaged in a warfare, not against flesh and blood but against "principalities and powers." He must learn each day to deny every belief that is not in harmony with the "word." He must learn to recognize the voice of Truth, and refuse to follow the "stranger." By denying every suggestion of failure, overcoming every apparently discouraging circumstance, he meets all the subtle workings of error. By holding fast to Principle he continues in the word of Christ. Every promise of the word is "to him that overcometh." Through this experience in overcoming does Truth become not merely a matter of faith and hope, but of absolute knowledge, and the student enters into his inheritance of Truth demonstrated. The demonstration of Truth is freedom from bondage, the bondage of error.
In the presence of Jesus' word the fetters must fall and the "rights of man" be fully "vindicated" (Science and Health, p. 225). Jesus himself demonstrated liberty from every form of error, through the power of the word, and it is our inheritance to follow in the footsteps of the Wayshower. Through the teaching of their text-book Christian Scientists are learning the way.
What an inspiration and demonstration has been the life of our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, though in an infinite variety of ways the so-called powers of evil have tried to swerve her from her steadfastness. How simple and free was her vision that she was able to discover Christian Science. How steadfast has she been, how loving, how loyal to Truth, until one form after another of error has fallen. Every shaft barbed with the venom of lust, pride, self-will, envy, hatred, bigotry, or ignorance, has been turned aside. Mrs. Eddy holds her position as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and every spasm of error that would seek to deprive her of her rightful place will but the more clearly reveal what that position is. Christian Scientists are unmoved by the attacks against their faith and Leader, because theirs is a demonstrable religion and they prove Christian Science to be the truth that sets free. "And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
