Divine Science

Annie M. Knott

Those who take up the study of Christian Science soon become aware that in Mrs. Eddy's writings much emphasis is laid upon the influence of the Holy Ghost or divine Spirit, also named by Christ Jesus "the Comforter." On page 55 of Science and Health she says, "This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science." As this statement is apt to be startling to those who have only a creedal acquaintance with the manifestation of divinity known as the Holy Ghost, it may help to elucidate the subject if we ponder her further statements on page 127, where we read that "the terms Divine Science, Spiritual Science, Christ Science or Christian Science, or Science alone," are used interchangeably by the author. She then adds, "These synonymous terms stand for everything relating to God, the infinite, supreme, eternal Mind."

It is profoundly interesting to read in the gospels of the outpouring of this divine influence at the beginning of the Christian era. We read that Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, "was filled with the Holy Ghost," and foretold the coming of the Science of salvation through Christ Jesus. We are also told that Elisabeth his wife "was filled with the Holy Ghost," and the angel who announced to Mary the coming of the holy child Jesus, said, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee." We also read that Joseph and Simeon were illumined in the same way, and John the Baptist foretold the coming of the one who should baptize "with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

Later we have the words of Christ Jesus himself concerning this divine influence, namely, "He will guide you into all truth." Jesus had proved this for himself when he was led of the Spirit into the wilderness, and in his forty days' vigil demonstrated the powerlessness of mortal mind to hold man at the mercy of matter and material law. Luke tells us that immediately after this Jesus went out "in the power of the Spirit," and in the synagogue at Nazareth boldly announced his healing mission and illustrated it by doing the works of Truth. In John's gospel we find more numerous references to the Holy Ghost than in any of the other gospels, and the Master uses the terms "Spirit of truth" and "Comforter" interchangeably with the first named. He also says of this Spirit of truth, "Ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

One of the most vital of these statements, from the Christian Science view-point, is this: "The Comforter ... shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you," a promise which is being daily fulfilled in the experience of Christian Scientists. In the twentieth chapter of John we read that when the risen Lord met with his disciples, at the close of that most momentous day in human history, he said to them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." It would seem, however, that they were not at once conscious of this divine impartation, for in the first chapter of Acts we find a renewal of the promise, with the statement, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." That this was fulfilled is evidenced by the Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit, and by Peter's fearless defense of his healing work, when called before the Sanhedrin. We also read that Paul received the Holy Ghost and did the healing work commanded by Christ Jesus. We are further told that he questioned some brethren whom he met at Ephesus, saying, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost?" They, however, confessed to ignorance of this divine influence, and were instructed by Paul and spiritually enlightened.

In the second epistle to Timothy we find these words: "That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us." This is far different from the attitude of those who profess to be followers of Christ, yet deny the presence of this divine influence in the overcoming of sin and disease today; but those who have been healed in Christian Science give thanks for the understanding of God which enables them to realize that the kingdom of God is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Annie M. Knott.

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