Scientific Christianity
Christian Science has already made great strides in demonstrating that Christianity is, first of all, scientific; that is, that its truths are exact and conform to divine law. Prior to Mrs. Eddy's great discovery, so accustomed had mankind become to regard religion as something almost if not entirely apart from scientific knowledge that it was quite ready to strenuously resent what it regarded as a presumptuous invasion of its own exclusive field of religious teaching, which, at best, it was held, is based upon faith and speculation rather than upon proved propositions. In fact, the exponents of physical science were prone to regard as an impostor any one who tried to enter the field of science except upon the basis of fact established upon their own criterions of acceptable proof; and, naturally, these exponents of material science quite scoffed at the idea of proving the tenets of any religion. To the vast majority of these savants, religion was impractical idealism, to be accepted, if at all, entirely upon faith, with no slightest possiblity of proof, either of its premises or of its conclusions.
It was into this mental condition that Mrs. Eddy projected her discovery; and that it has made its way so widely and so deeply is proof in itself that it is founded upon divine Principle, and that its laws are the laws of God. It was Stanislaus, the sage of Poland, who wisely said, "Religion has nothing more to fear than not being sufficiently understood;" and to make true religion understood, through demonstration and precept alike, has been the service rendered mankind by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.
The parable of the Pharisee and the publican is always before us, and the lesson is obvious. It was of the humble man who, smiting his breast and asking God to be merciful to him, "a sinner," that Christ Jesus said, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." And he continued the lesson with the explanation, "For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Under the marginal heading, "The right motive and its reward," on page 464 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says: "In founding a pathological system of Christianity, the author has labored to expound divine Principle, and not to exalt personality. The weapons of bigotry, ignorance, envy, fall before an honest heart."
In continuing and extending the practice of Christian Science, a constant duty is before the student to demonstrate its spirit and perpetuate the letter. With the words of our Leader constantly before us, there is no need for the slightest deviation from either. But with the tendency of the so-called human mind toward the claims of materiality to the obscuration of spirituality, is there not a need for constant watchfulness, that the form be not emphasized to the darkening of the spirit? Our Leader has wisely pointed out how impossible it is for Christian Science to fulfill its mission in the world, except through maintaining its character as a Christian ministry. Not infrequently, perhaps, does it erroneously appear that for one to be scientific he must be unsympathetic, abstaining from the expression of human affection, and dealing in platitudes rather than manifesting both in word and in deed the tender solicitude, gentle patience, and genuine compassion for the sinful and sick that characterized the career of the lowly Nazarene. This by no means implies that Christianly duty includes the necessity of a sympathetic attitude that would accept as real the erroneous beliefs and their seeming results with which the patient may be struggling; for such agreement is but sympathetic mesmerism, which, instead of assisting the needy one to throw off error's claims, could but have the effect to enhance their seeming reality. Mrs. Eddy has voiced the situation perfectly in a familiar passage in Science and Health (p. 367), so redolent with truth that it should ever be in thought. She says: "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."
An apparent effort of evil is to confuse and mislead the students of Christian Science with the argument that material objects, houses, personal possessions, motor cars, and the thousand and one things conducive to material comfort, may be the direct objects of legitimate spiritual practice. A single admonition of the Master, so definite that all may understand its meaning, adequately meets this situation. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," permits of no delay in seeking; nor relegates it to a secondary place. There it stands, — "first"! Is it not altogether apparent, then, that the effort of all who name the name of Christ should be to gain, in the largest possible degree, the Mind of Christ, in order to enter the kingdom of heaven? Then it inevitably follows that the needful things are made manifest, divine Love being the source of supply. For the promise reads, "And all these things shall be added unto you." But how different this process is from placing first the material object desired, undertaking to satisfy human desires by self-will and mental manipulation! Christian Scientists, holding firmly to the teaching of our Leader, are not tempted into such false beliefs, for they well know that spiritual growth and salvation do not lie along that road; but they are convinced, through oft-repeated proof, that God's loving care may be invoked to meet every legitimate need that arises in the round of human experience. Through such demonstration, the ministry of Christianity finds its perfect illustration; and mankind is convinced, through complete proof, that Christianity is scientific; for it comprises the operation of divine law, in conformity with the works and teachings of Christ Jesus. The proof is established; and Christianity is being recognized as demonstrable Science.
Albert F. Gilmore.
