The Attractiveness of Truth

Duncan Sinclair

Christian Science, the discovery of Mary Baker Eddy, is the Comforter promised by Christ Jesus—the final revelation of Truth. After Mrs. Eddy had made her great discovery, and proved it by numerous healings of disease and sin, she set it down—elucidated it—in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." And this book—the Christian Science textbook—is today available to all who would obtain an understanding of this, the Christ Science, or the Science of being.

The study of Christian Science should present no difficulty to the seeker for Truth. But it is very necessary that he be honest and unbiased. Honesty and open-mindedness are the soil best suited for the seeds of spiritual truth, for it is there they take root and grow. The student should also be assured that he can understand the truths which Christian Science reveals. He, as are all men, is endowed with spiritual sense; and it is this sense which enables him to perceive spiritual truth, and to make it his own. With his thought honest and unbiased, and assured that he possesses the ability to perceive spiritual truth, the student should have no misgiving as to his power to assimilate it and to apply it.

Besides, it should be remembered that Truth is attractive. As our Leader says, "There is but one real attraction, that of Spirit" (Science and Health, p. 102). Were not the beloved Master's words spoken to heavy-laden humanity, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28)? Jesus was inviting all mankind to come to Christ, Truth—the Christ which he demonstrated—to find relief. What compassion was in his words; and what attractiveness, too!

Christ Jesus is the Christian's example in all things pertaining to Christian living. Not only did he teach and demonstrate the truths of spiritual being, in comforting and healing mankind, but he also proved the attractiveness of spiritual truth through the loveliness of his own life. The New Testament shows how deeply loved he was by those who came under the influence of his spiritualized thought. Mary and Martha, of Bethany; Peter and John, his disciples; the Magdalene whom he had cleansed; Mary, his mother—all alike, with others, loved him out of hearts which his own love and graciousness had divinely influenced. It was the truth which he understood that made Jesus the loving friend of mankind; it was the truth reflected by him that drew men to him for healing and regeneration.

Like the Way-shower, Christian Scientists know the win-someness as well as the healing power of spiritual truth, which is being constantly used by them in the overcoming of all kinds of erroneous conditions. It is voiced by the Readers at church services, in the Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly. It is spoken by church members as they seek to help inquirers and friends. But is the endeavor made by all, in whatever capacity they may be serving, to present Truth attractively? Do we always show its loveliness by the purity and goodness of our own thought? Or are we inclined to be proscriptive of others, lacking love; inclined to judge and criticize unjustly; not as trustworthy as we should be in every situation? Are we inclined to associate with and support more or less unscientific groups or cliques, those who in selfishness hold themselves aloof from others? Unless we are showing forth "the beauty of holiness," exemplifying the graciousness of Christliness and the attractiveness of the truth which we claim to understand, we cannot be doing credit to Christian Science. We certainly are not proving to others its divine loveliness. Mrs. Eddy speaks strongly and wisely when she writes (ibid., p. 239), "Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity."

Unselfed love is the most precious and powerful of all spiritual qualities. No form of evil can long resist it. We should therefore pray that we lose all selfishness, all self-love, which is devoid of spiritual attraction. "True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection" (No and Yes, p. 39). That is what we need—the love which includes all mankind in its embrace; the love which is the reflection of God Himself—infinite Love.

In the fifteenth Psalm (verses 1 and 3) we read: "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? ... He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour." If we lived in the spirit of these words, obedient to our highest understanding, how attractive would our lives become; and how well fitted we should be to represent the Cause of Christian Science, demonstrating its truths and carrying them to humanity. Duncan Sinclair

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Bread, Wine, and Oil

July 3, 1937

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit