The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, March 28, 1925, Page 2

ars ere ae Sige neds ores vn PAGE TWO ~ THE BISMARCK A LECTURE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE By John J. Flinn, C. S. in J. Flinn, C. of Evanston, Ill, a member of the Christta ‘ nee Board of Lectureship, delivered a lecture on Christian Science, entitled; “Christian Science A Positive Faith,” last evening at the Auci- torium, under the auspices of the First Caurch of Christ Scientist. of Bismarck. The lecturer was introduced by Herbert Lincoln, who safd: Friends It has been sald that “Humanity is jike an army marching up-~# mountain pass; the vanguard has already reached the top and can sce the first dawn of a bright morning, whereas tae rest is still struggling on in darkne: In the vanguard of humanity are those who havc perceived the idea of one God, the creator of the universe, who made n ind likeness. And to them comes the light of Christianity. Jesus said, “Lam come a light into: the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in dark- ness.” In every age there have been those who, like John the Bap- tist, “bear witness cf that light.’ Such a one was Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, By her pure thought and consecrated life she was enabled to perceive the rule for divine healing. ablished church on the pre- cept which Jesus gave to hi 30 ye into all the world. have received, freely give. pr h the gospel, heal the sic She believed and demonstrated, as do her followers, that the says ings of Jesis were meant for all time, and not for his hearers only. One of the means which Mrs. Eddy chose to spread authentic in- formation concerning Christian Science, was the establishment of « Board of Lectureship of the Mother Church, the First Church ot Christ Scientist, in Boston, Massachuscts. We have with us this evening a member of that Board, and it 8 me great pleasure to introduce to you Mr. Jobn J. Flinn, C. S., of Evanston, 1, who will now advvess you Mr. Flinn spoke as follows: To those healed through the writings and teachings of Mary Baker Kdvy, or through the understanding and demonstration of her students , 1, as was I, when everything else had failed, when hope had flea! — Christian active philosophy, or beau- , something wonderfully near and real; something serviceabl ailable, within one’s reach, always depcndable in times of unc inty and trouble, and never more so thai in moments of greatest need. Tam going to assunte that those present who are not of the faith we profess, are th ertheless, with the good purpose of learning, in so far at ve able to present so great a subject in so brief a space of t'me,-w 1 and tens of thousands like me, in all parts of the globe, hve accepted this faith. I am going to assume that non- Scientists are here with the worthy purpose of learning to what extent all that they have heard, disparaging, or commendatory, of Christian Science, be it much or little ——all that they have ‘heard of its Dis- coverer and Founder, of its tenets, its doctrines, its cemonstrations, of the character and intelligence of its membership, is true or false. This is unquestionably a trying age, an age that is putting to the test the integrity of human morality, the stability of human progress. The very best in men and in women is summoned, as never before in modern times, to rally to the protection and preservation of the good achieved through centuries of earnest and decades of enlightened effort. Christian Science, which never ‘bends to reaction, nor stoops to imism, is not fearful regarc.ng the ultimate outcome of any con- between truth and error, between good and evil, for it knows that al, neither ig it oblivious of, nor indit sent or passing conditons involve. even last faint glimmer of material Science is no mere pleasing abst tiful ide: mM, ferent to, the obligations A Time of Unusual Obligation We are living in a time when obligations of an unusual nature must be dealt with; in a time which calls for the putting aside of narrow, petty, parochial views, that we may fix our attention upon those things which lie within the range of an enlarged vision; We @re living in an ‘poo when not to think positively, ‘broadly, deeply, and, above all, ientifi y and spiritually, is not to think adequately or rightly of the problems confronting humanity to-da There is so much popular discontent, so much distrust, so much atisfaction, so much disturbance of thought, nationally and inter- nationally—so much of rebellious sentiment and expression in quar- ters where one, might naturally Jook for orderliness and conserva- tism; and, more important and more startling than all of these, there is so strong a tendency towarc! insubordination, lawlessness, immor- y, and crime, that the need of a strong current of counter-acting influence, flowing outward from a spiritual source, is felt deeply by all intelligent observer: It is seen very clearly not only that thig influence, to be effective, must be spirit ‘but also that it must come through channels otuer than those through which religious instruction,has been flowing, and, apparently, flowing aimlessly, during ‘many generations. Leading clerics of the orthodox schocl in Europe and America have reached the. point of confessing’ that what they denominate as the “Church” has lost its hold upon the masses, and much cf their effort is now directed toward regaining, if posstble, the confidence which they con- _ cede has been lost. It is frankly admitted in the orthodox pulpit, that Sthe “Church,” so called, has practically failed in these latter days ta cope with problems of greatest concern to the human r: It is openly asserted by theological dignitaries that the “Churc! as ad- “ministered to-day, hag proved to, be powerless in. the matter of stem- ming the tide of irreverence; ‘irretigion, agnoticism, inficelity, and * atheism. 2 No Concession to Error Now, to confess that evil is more powerful than good, that mor- 3ality cannot measure strength with immorality, that virtué must give Sway before vice,—that Truth is, or can be, crushed ‘by error,—con- sidered even aside from religion, and as a purely cthical proposition is to assume that civilization, as developed through two thousand years of Christianity, is a failure, and that the human race is revert- Ling to paganism and barbarity. Viewed from a religious standpoint, fuch a proposition is preposterous and unthinkabie, vince involves the presumption that there is a power greater than Gov’, good, in the :universe,—a power more potent than omnipotence. >" Christian Science makes no concession ‘to error in any of its =phases, forms, or manifestations: It does not admit the reality of Sevil, It recognizes no power in the universe but God, good. In the midst.of doubt, anxiety, alarm, fear, want of confidence in church or pulpit leadership, Christian Science holds steadfastly to. the convic- tion, that since man is God’s child, tne reflection and image and like- gess of God, he cangot be separated from his creator, deprived of his ‘*piritual inheritance by any human belief, used as a football by chance, ,fubjected to material mutation, or rendered beipless in the presence f6f sin, sickness, discord, disease, or death. Christian Science is not at all a blind ‘belief. It is not a the»log gical experiment, not a conjectural creed. It is not based upon legen- "dry, tradition, superstition, or fear of future punfghment; it is lemonstrable faith that proves with mathematical clearness and cer fainty, to capable and honest invesitgators, its claim as Science. Christian Science is an understanding of infinite intelligence, and of Qnan’s relationship to the Supreme Being omnipresent. omniscient, ‘and omnipotent divine Mind.. It is an apprehension and. understan ang of God which admits of. no limitation, question, nor c‘oubt with Tegard to* His all-seei wisdom, His all-incsusivé power, Hig all-em- bracing Love. It is living the conviction that God made everything that was made; that He made everything good; that all of His crea- Uons reflect -Him, and, therefore, that mothing unlike Him, infinite good, can de real. {tie an absolute: acknowledgement and a positive ussertion, supported by living truth that the God of the Bible—our Goc—governs and controle the universe and all that it contains, visible and invisible, tnctuding man, ard thet there is none other beside Him #: _-, A Neglected or Ignored Duty 2: It is always difftcult, sometimes imposstble, to follow the argu- nts of those gqoc’ Christian people who feel it to be their duty to tack Christian Science, or to follow the reasoning upon which their ‘guments are based. Tize remarkable thing is that 59 few of them. # view ofall. that they are learnimg in these times regarding tie tilure: of orthoox-doctrines and; teachings to meet the present and ent needs of.the peaple, are able to sée ‘that the healing of the uk, suffering, and’ sorrowful, no matter how long neglected or un- mployed,, is on6,.of-the. most important functions of the Christian n, and. that «there ye of God. Sat on ean atid profess. unquestioning allegiance to io. New Tes! ant ute.loyaity to the words and works oi ist. Jesus, | they ‘fiad feult with Christian Science bozause 'tt s.these words and works down to the twéntteth centry. and makes as actual ahd-ae.useful to. the mem, women and chiidrén of our , ag they were to men, Women and children in the time of the an Its of no Conditional expression uor acceptance. That Which is almost, or nearly, or partly true, is not trie. Science is truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Herd it takes its stand. It abhors loose thinking, loose reasoning, anu loose talking; it is in as little need of patronizing commendation as it is of patronizing apology. Inasmuch as it is based upon divine Prin- ciple, nothing short of admission of its absolute truth will satisfy. This is why it is so frequently called upon to correct well-meaning ‘but mistaken remarks ‘by those who think they are speaking kindly | of it. Take, for instance, statements of many doctors of Givinity and many doctors of medicine, than whom, ag a rule, there aré no moré con- scientious men in the world: It is no uncommon thing to have them concede a great ceal to Christian Science. Some of them go so far as taadmit openly that Christian Science has real merit; others, that its right to recognition as a protective and healing agency has been lestablished; cthers recall instances, occurring among their friends, [even in their own families, where Christian Science has brougat about | physical, mental, moral, and spiritual results of a remarkable nature: | still others advise certain of their patients, whose cases have resisted medical treatment, to “try Christian Science.” There are pastors of orthodox churches and ‘practitioners of medicine, not a thousand miles from here, who frankly tell those sitting under them in church, and | those who visit them for advice, that what people need is more Ohris- {tian Science in their daily lives. Yet, nearly always, these acknowl- qualification. Christien Science ig all right, they say, when ft does not ga too far. They would not like to be caught saying that mathe matical science is all ri... when its practice ig not carried to excess. | Uncompromisingly For The Truth ‘ing might account somewhat for the stubbornness with which doctors | cling to materia medica; but two thousand years of training in Chris- the pharmacopoeia and dependence upon the prescription tablet. It j is a deplorable fact that ministers cf the orthodox churches, orcained | (to practice the Christian faith, stop far short of doing so, in that they | neglect or ignore the injunction of the Master to his disciples and to; all who should follow in his footsteps to heal the sick; and it is even! more deplorable, that, failing in the observance and performance of | a plain duty themselves, they question and attempt to belittle, the | demonstrations of those who, through full observance pf the commands | jof Christ Jes |his marvelous works. In undertaking to divide anc thereby to evade, a great and a sacred duty, these ministers have reserved to themselves care of the sinners, | while relegating to the doctors responsibility for the care of the sick. | {Is it necessary to dwell in any detail upon the results of this peculiar | | arrangement? | In dealing with recognized so-called physical laws, or with what | are called physical phenomena, neither doctors of divinity nor doc: | tors of medicine hesitate to accept the scientific truth. That is, they | do not question the law of gravitation, the law that controls the; (diurnal revolution of the earth, the law that regulates the orderly motion of the planets, or the basic laws that determine the rise and fall of the tides. They accept unqualifiedly the law of mathematics. ; How much less should they question, or attempt to limit, the operation | on divine Principle, which \predicates the omnipotence of the Maker of | all law! Ministers of the gospel, in particular, should be more careful in any criticism which they may pass upon Christian Science, since Caris- tian Scientists are simply putting into practice, what all the orthodox Christian churches have been cpenly professing, preaching, and teach- ing through the centuries—the ability and willingness of God to help those who put all their trust in Him. Christian Science means trust | —unlimited, absolute trust in God. Christian Science a Positive Faith Christian Science is a positive, and, in its attitude toward scholastic | theology, a radical faith. As its Discoverer and Founder never devi | ated from Principle to win the favor or to avoid the censure of those; bound up with other religious doctrines, neither do her loyal students and followers make concession of any kind either to popular or so- called scholary beliefs in the reality of matter. They stand firmly immovably, upon “the scientific statement of being,” founa in tbe Christian Science textboo cience and Health with Key to the Serip- tures” by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 468). Now, Christian Science is true from the first to the last word of} this fundamental declaration, from the first to the last word of our| textbook. Let it be borne in upon the thought of every one present that there is no room nor place for compromise here. If Christian Science be not in absolute lino with one invariable, immutable Prin- ciple at ci] points, then, to use the words of Paul, “Is our preaching vain,” and, moreover, to paraphrase slightly the language of that great/ apostle, we who have accepted Christian Science are tie miost hope-j| less and most misere'sle of people. To go further, if further it would seem possible to go, if Christian Science is not altogether true, if the healing power cf the Christ be not present yesterday, to-day and for- ever—if the Christ be not risen—if spiritual regeneration be not within the reac of suffering humanity to-day, through a higher under- standing of divine law, then, we who have (been proclaiming our heal ing in Christian Science from the very housetops—we who feel that we have ‘been restored in Christian Science to health, peace, and happiness—are either duped by the greatest of all illusions, or we are false witnesses. But we who have been healed in Christian Sci-' ence—we who ‘have ‘been healed slowly or healed instantapously, but in either case, healed permanently—anc' we who have practiced Chris- tian Science in the healing of others—who have seen in our own and in the lives of those about us, unmistakable manifestations of the Immanuel, or Goc! with us—know from experience, observation, and demonstration, that when the Principle of Christian Science is intelli- gently, jhoneetly, and scientifically employed, it never fails, it can- not fail. Unassailable Propositions . There can be ng questioning the logic of Mrs. Eddy's propositions: in Science and Health that the impossible never happens, and that “whatever tblesses one, blesses all” (Science and Health, p. 206). Most of us have learned in our own experience that Truth manifested rau- ates ‘beyond. the bounds of our vision, even ‘beyond the bounds of our imagination. Our reasoning faculties teach us, even if our spiritual intuition ‘be dull, that if Christian Science heals in one instance through the intelligent application of divine Principle, no limitations can be placed wpon its healing power. The operation of Principle can indeed be applied to every human need—to government, politics. business, economics, labor, sociology, education; when." properly applied, Principle must, as it does, perform marvels of healing in general as well ag in individual cases. Here would seem to be a proper place to touch upon the unwar- ranted and gratuitous insinuation that Christian Science ig neither Christian nor scientific. The man who first said this, Was appar- ently morc concerned about the fashioning of what he thought might ; Prove a clever and a catchy epigram, than about expressing the truth. The saying was picked up, and is still, repeated here and ‘there, by persons wholly, without knowledge of the facts, but from first to last it has impressed’ only the unthinking and the prejudiced. \Let us see. The term Christian Science was employed by Mary Baker \Eduly to designate the scientific system of divine healing which she discovere! and founded. ‘Nothing could ‘be more appropriate, logical, or justifiabie than the choosing of ts name, since from almost the very beginning of ‘her studies in divine metaphysics she held it to be basic that “all Science is divine” (Science and Health, p. 126), a posi- tion which is supported today by growing numbers. of the world’s best thinkers. Again and again not only in the Christiam Science textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” but in all of her other writings, does Mary Baker Eddy take occasion to pay humble, deep, and loving tribute to Christ Jesus. The Manual of The Mother Church, written by Mrs. Eddy, which embodies rules and) |by-laws for the government of the Christian Science organfzation, is |imporative -in demancing of those appointed to speak in ‘behait of Christian, Science that they shall always speak reverently. of Christ Jesus. [t séems incredible that any one_even slightly acquainted | | edgments are made, and these indorsements are voiced, with some | Four thousand years of materialistic training in the medical call- | tenets she has given that church, the very first of which reads: tianity; the Founder of which never used a drug in healing, showtd | have been sufficient, one would think, to have weaned the clergy from |denomination of professed religionists is the Bible esteemed more actually repeat in very large and growing méasure | Cc TRIBUNE’ |: = The Principle of Christian Science, be it understooc, is nothing new. It hag never ‘been claimed by Mrs. Eddy or by any of her re- cognized students to be new, but, on the contrary, to be as ancient as the Ancient of days. It has existed through the eternities. It has been known to certain of God's people throughout all ages, and it was known more clearly, and practiced more’ widely and successfully, by Jesus anc'his disciples than by any that had preceded them, or ‘by an. that followed them, down to the time that the divine light of revela- tion shone into the consciousness of a woman, wearied~of scholastic theology and sophistry, in a modest New England home. Apparently lost for centuries, the Science whereby this Principle could be put into operation as a tangible, practical, usable, workable agency, for tle benefit of humanity here and now, was rediscovered ;by Mary Baker Eddy. This is her claim to’ our gratitude, our affec-, tion, our reverence. Her great task,’the greatest that woman ha4 lever been called upon to perform, was to proclaim and demonstrate, | convincingly, to a doubting world, her marvelous revelation. In her own simple ‘but beauttful language, she tells us when and how each of her steps was taken. She left nothing to mere assertion. She proved by demonstration every declaration which she set down in writing. This she was enabled to do through the spiritual illumination of the Scriptures which preceded, accompanied, and markable healing, and through her entire dependence upon the Bible thenceforth for instruction and direction. Just as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science places {all ¢imes for inspiration and for strength; just as she has given it | first place in the services of the church which she instituted and es- | tablished, so do all of her loyal followers solemnly subscribe to We adherents of Truth, we take. the ihspired Word of the Bible as our {sufficient guice to eternal Life’ (Science and Health, p. 497). It is entirely within reasonable bounds to say that in no other class or highly an it is among Christian Scientists. Se or studied more regularly, closely, earnestly, or intelligently, The Christian Science textbook, ence and Health, is am exposition of the Bible, a “Key to the and as such, it has already unlocked for millions, as #t for countless niillion$ to come, inexhaustible treasures of spiritual wisdom and understanding. Truth Spurned by Orthodoxy ian ani! orthodox in her environment through girthood, and yourg womanhood; Christian and orthodox in research and thought throughout her long years of study to fit herself for the work to which she had ‘beef called, Mrs. Eddy was moved by no im- pulse to overturn the faith of her Puritan ancestors, but rather, to buttress it with the supports which it lacked and which, she intuitive- ly felt, were cbtainablé through a higher and holier understanding of the Scriptures. It was her fond and cherished hope that the established Protestant churches, at least, might ‘be led to investigate intelligently her ~dis: covery, and to accept the proofs which she was prepared to offer in support of the.philosophy to which this discovery inevitably pointed; and it was only when her advances were rejected, and even spurnes, in quarters where they should have been welcomed, that she had re- course to attother vehicle for the dissemination of the truth that had been revealed to her. If Mary Baker Eddy had not achieved in other ways the highest human recognition that can be accorded a woman; if cold conventi or a studied and nurtured prejudice would deny her the exalted place she has won in the world as the greatest of its reformers sincp. the Nazarene, the liberal and enlightened thought of mankind would, nevertheless, inevitably award her a place in the temple of fame for the service she has rendered the cause of religious freedom. The Christian Gcience Manual alone will stand as a perpetual monument to the inspired wisdom of Mary Baker Eddy. Only recent- ly has it impelled one of the most remarkable legal decisions in sup- port of religious immunity from civi¥ interference, ever handed down by a court of supreme ‘jurisdiction in the United States or in any other country. It has taken centuries to ‘bring about the separation of Church and State, even in the degree to which this divorcement is at present recognized and enforced. The Manual of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, written iby Mary Baker Eddy, is ‘destined to become a model for legislation in all countries desirous of protecting religion from state regulation or po- litical meddling, =, childhood, Testimony at First Hand Lawyers, I believe, will agree with me that there is nothing in the line of testimony that goes further with court or with jury than that which comes freely and at first hand. It was this testimony that gave strength to the preaching of the Apostle Paul—that down to our time gives so much weight to his epistles. Christian Scientists do not feel’ hurt nor offended when the right of their revered Leader to so much recogni- tion and gratitude is questioned, for they attribute such criticism to lack of understanding of the facts. They would rather, indeed, come into personal contact with the vigorous, robust, outspoken, honest doubter, than with one who is overready to accept superficially everything that is offered, without looking for proof, and without propér consideration or investigation. The more questions an honest and earnest inquirer asks in Christian Science, the more proof he demands; the more determined he is to “find out for himself,” the more promising convert and better church member and worker he becomes eventually. Christian Science is never attacRed by those who have studied it intelligently, open-mindedly, and thoroughly; it is assailed only by those who take a casual and prejudiced glance at it, ,who read Science and Health as they would an ordinary book, running through it as they would through a volume prepared for popular enter- tainment, and not for serious and careful study. In a word, Christia Science is invariably attacked by those who do not understand what it teaches, what it aims to do for humanity, nor what it accomplishes. It is isafe to say, on the other hand; that an overwhelming majority of those who accept Christian Science, are persons who are prepared to give a rea- son for the faith and the hope that is in them. They are persons who have 'taken nothing on hearsay, who have not been unduly swayed by the inflp- ‘ence of others; who do not conjecture, who do not surmise, who do not guess; who do not merely believe; but who have won understanding from }experience and demonstration, and who have become convinced, beyond a doubt, that they know. : ( Paul knew. He had had personal experiénce with the regenerative power of Spirit. He drew and convinced great audiences everywhere because he was able to give testimony at first hand—because he could speak out of the fullness of personal, actual, human experience; because he could tell of a mental change that, with the quickness of a lightning flash, trans- formed his character and enabled him to put off forever the “old man with his deeds.” There are tens of thousands of Pauls in our day throughout the world—tens of thousands of persons, that is, who have been turned, often with the quickness of a lightning flash, through Christian Scierice, from wrong to right thinking, healed of: sick and sinning beliefs, released from pernicious tendencies, relieved of slevish habits, liberated from. bond- age, and restored to the liberty which bélongs to all of God’s children; and these are ever ready and willing to give direct testimony to the healing power of Life, Truth, and Love, as demonstrated in Christian Science, and to offer heartfelt gratitude to..Mary Baker Eddy, who led them by.‘hér teachings from darkness into light. The Paramount Mission of Christian Science It must never be forgotten that Christian Science is engaged first and list, and all the time, in the task of restoring to the world the Word and continuing the works of Christ Jesus; that its highest mission and its joy is to labor unceasingly for the bringing back of primitive nity in all its purity, simplicity, and grandeur, and to reestablish, in a world sorely in need of it, that assurance of present-day salvation from érror and its consequences, which the Master promised to all who would keep his commandment He came with-healing in bis thought, with healing in his voice, with healing in his touch—with healing in his heart— and he went about everywhere doing good, yet sorrowing in his, labor of love over the ignorance and perversity of mén. Now, as in his day, the Word through Christian Science, is healing all manner of disease and all with the doctrines of Christian Science should fai} to see that they jare in absolute a¢cord with the’ fundamentals of Christianity.~ Bridging a Theological Chasin With the keenness and the clearness of spiritual vision whith mark aH the thinking and speaking and writing of Marty Baker Eddy, she is able 'to differentiate between the man, Jésus, and the Christ, jthe «vine idea; and thus, to the satisfaction of Jew and Gentile alike, she has permanently bridged for millions, a theological chasm that had for centuries yawned menacingly before the eyes of confused and ‘bewildered humanity. Thus has she enabled her followers, Jews and Gentiles alike, as she has written {n the tenets of Christian Science (Sciénce and Health, p. 497), to “acknowledge and adore @) ‘supreme and infinite God,” to “acknowledge His son, one heist,” and to subscribe understandingly and whole-heartedly to those declarg- tions of the Christian Science faith which fix Christ Jesus indelibly . in the thought of all who accept and strive to follow her ‘teachings, as’ the Way-shower, the Redeemer, the Savior of mimanity. There is stiti existent in some quarters a certain amount ‘of irrita- tiom because Christian Scientists, to usé & conimon phrase, “make #0° much of Mrs. Eddy.” Fhis allegation will have to he admitted. -Chris- tian Sefentists.do make much, very much, of Mrs. ; but ¢ simple reason for it should ‘be sufficient for anybody who will give the loving al ye can be no human reservations, réstrictions, | relationship between Scientists and their revered Leader, a little care-|of the Bi r limitations <when, man-is ‘teaning, upon the power and mercy and j fu! 1 consideration. Christian Scientists: make so much of ‘Mrs, Eddy because she has been the means of making so much of them,. because through her has come to them a nhéw hope, a new and better under- standing of God; a new anc! better understaading of their roiétion to God, and to each other-—hecause her teachings have opened to then! |# néw conception of atid -a new incentive in lfe—becayse her discov ery, her writings, and tle influence that has gone ane to the world through her students and their pupils have niade great numbers of beset new men end women, Many rtenremnnet span ts ete LE mannér of discord, yet Christian Scier@ists know that, as in Jesus’ day, the healing of physical ailnients is a means, rather than an end.- Because of the stiffness of their.necks and the rebelliousness of their will, in our times as/was the casé twenty centuries ago, the great majority of human beings must be impressed by some farigible évidi , Suitable to their, understanding, of the all-important part which spiritual law plays in regulating their lives, their affairs, occupations, and circumstances; i determinitig the success of their c@reers, in solving their niinor as well their major problems. Only thus are they brought to recognition of ‘the presence of God, and to a realization of the fact,-that the paramount misstofi of Christian Science not the healing of sickness and disease, but the destruction of ignorance, féar, and sin, which lie at the root of al human sorrow and suffering. i : { Christin Scientists make né stronger pretensions of belief in the Bible than do other professed Christians, but Christian Scientists go further than bolted: they trust and strive.to undérstand. And according to the méasute of their understanding do they. make practical application ‘of Bible truth and achieve demonstration. Here.is where the gréat difference lies. One might - beli¢ve «in er that feryently, devotedly, indefinitely, without evér: getting further than’ belief, , Mere. belief would never.solve a prob- lém in figures. One must’ take chalk, or pencil,.or pen in hand, and. work tl pra out in’ accordance‘ while is to be accomplis le by understanding bring. realization of its prophe: perience. ~ It cannot bd dénied that Christian Science. holds universal attention teddy. So-called skeptics and infidels, no less ¢han orthodox Christians, are keenly interested in its doctrines and its demonstration: throngs be pet-setetind Which éverywhere throughout ‘the world flock to Christian Scfence lectures, to Christian ‘Science testimonial ‘megtings, and to Chris- the rule of: thé science, if anything jan. Scientists prove the. trathy go slong, and ir wol vith “Chri demonstration ‘as th cies ‘and promises {nto thélr everyday, ex nger and ‘Thirst followed her own re-/ the Bible first at all times; just as she looks to it and clings to it at | ed, "4 compromisingly for thé maintenance of law and order. MARCH 28, 1925 tian Science servicés, afford ample proof to this deep and widespread in- terest, All classes of people see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears something of its accomplishments for the good of humanity and: the glory of God, and are seeking to learn more about it. And who should hinder them in this seeking, since wisdom, the understanding of man's true relationship to omnipotence, is to be desired beyond all else that may bé sought or attained in this world? “Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understand- ing?” asks Job. And he replies: “God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven. . . . And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understand. ing.” “Wisdom is the principal thing,” said Solomon in his proverbs, “therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” To obtain an understanding of Christian Science is to obtain an under- standing of the one ever present and supreme power in the universe, rever- ently named God, a term which in Christian Science embraces all that is good, and to obtain at the same time an understanding of man’s relation- ship to this infinite Being. Those who are really earnest in the desire to know God, come in the right frame of thought, if they come to Christian i Science as little children, trustful and hopeful, receptive of and eager for ‘light, and determined to profit by it. It“ is.all-important that a right beginning shall be made. To begin \ rightly is to provide one’s self with a copy of the Bible and of the Chris- tian Science textbook, to study both zealously and religiously,and to put their teachings into practice as fast as an understanding of them is gain- All of Christian Science is contained in these two inspired volumes. To study the Bible and Science and Health, intelligently and profitably, demands of the student constant recourse to prayer, as prayer is under- stood in Christian Science. It is a fact, strange as it may appear to those pf other religious denominations, that through Christian Science many thousands of earnest and devout Christian people have been instructed for the first time how to obtain results from prayer. When we learn how to pray as Christian Sciehce teaches, in that same hour we also learn how to help and heal ourselyes and, how to bring comfort, peace, and healing to others. The Way of Healing and Salvation Whether we seek understanding or healing in Christian Science, and it should be remembered that understanding is possible only through the healing of ignorance, self-opinion, amd prejudice, we must come in simpli- city, trustfulness, and confidence; we should have arrived at a decision to go the full length, to cut all bridges behind us; we should be ready to turn our backs on envy, jealqusy, hate, superstition, féar—evil-thinking, evil- speaking, evil-doing. There must be no more doubting, shifting, hesitation. Nothing short of unconditional surrender will open the door that leads from captivity to freedom. The wavering, undecided, and unready should blame themselves only if indulgence in these proclivities hinders the work of the teacher or the practitioner, defers healing, or sometimes entirely prevents it. Christian Scientists have come to know, and measurably to understand, God, through the hings and works of Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, und through the revelation which Mary Baker Eddy has given the world a revelation which, among other things, has reestablished in the conscious- ness not only of her students and followers, but of vast numbers who may not as yet be included denominationally among these, the firm conviction that Jesus did not demonstrate the divine power to heal for any selec’ number or for a limited period of time. We have his prophecy and prom: ise: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth ‘on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; be- cause I go unto my Father.” Mrs. Eddy looked forward implicitly likewise to thé opportunities which would come to her followers for the accomplishment of greater demon- strations than any that were crowning their efforts in the first half cen- tury of Mind-healing which her discovery had brought about. She h plainly stated (Sciénce and Health, p. 348), “I have never supposed th: world would immediately witness the full fruitage of Christian Science.” She wished to be known only as one who had planted and watered His vineyard, leaving to the years to come, and to growth in spiritual under- standing, the gathering of greater harvests than she had been privileged to see, ee As Ancient As The Ancient of Days Man’s Right to Peace and Happiness For ages men have been engaged in a continuous effort to get more out of life, to obtain a larger measure of freedom, and to find in the posses- sion of both, that case, comfort, contentment, and peace, which make up the sum of human happiness. But the prizes sought have been elusive. ‘They have lost their value even with seeming attainment, for the struggle to capture them, has, in the main, been carried along on the theory that happiness is something mate and therefore, something to be’ pursued by pampering the material senseg and turning loose upon the chaste the sensual desires. Not the objective, not the thing sought, but the method and purpose \behind the seeking, have been wrong. Prosperity and happiness are con- [ditions to which we all should aspire, if only we strive for them with right motives and in the right way. To yearn for those things which make for ‘the greater completeness of human existence, has been sanctioned and legitimatized from the very beginning. God’s promises to His children have always becn represented as in answer to the desire, or prayer, for a higher understanding of him—that is, for a higher understanding and appreci- ation of Life in its full and true meaning. } Christian Science teaches that lack, limitation, poverty, are among the lerrors to be overcome by apprehension and understanding of the truth [that divine Love is the source, and only source, of supply. Christian Sci- ence teaches that poverty and unhappiness are abnormal, due to wrong thinking and to wrong living. Christian Science teaches that prosperity and happiness are desirable, and that they are attainable, when. rightly, that is, when spiritually, sought. ‘ It is the desire for the spiritual peace and harmony which constitute real prosperity and happiness that has led advanced thinkers of all times to be discontented with cohditions as they have found them. There is sometimes a vast difference between contentment and happiness. To be content with less’ than justice, would mean acquiescence in injustice; ie bé content with less than right, would mean acceptance of wrong; to be content with anything less than freedom, would mean complacent agrec-\ ment in some form of slavery. Some of the greatest revolutions of mod- ern times have been justifjed on the ground of man’s inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—an assertion of elemental human privilege which all the world receives today in the light of a self- evident truth. Two thousand years ago man’s right to life, in all its fullness, was proclaimed by Christ Jesus in présence of the persecuting Pharisees, in that beautiful figure of speech wherein he describes himself as a Shep- herd devoted to the protection ‘and welfare of his flock. “I am come,” he said, “that' they might have life, and that they might have it more abund- antly.” Again, he told those who were striving to harass and embarrass him, how, by knowing the truth, they might secure real freedom. In al- most his first utterance in the presence of the rabbis, he read from the prophet Esaias, the marvelous passage predicting the coming of the Mes- jah (Luke 4:18). In the first psalm is laid down the basis upon which man may attain blessedness, which is but another name for contentment, prosperity, and happiness. And Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Chris- tian Science, has written in “Science and Health with Key to the Scrip- tures,” the Christian Science \textbook, as the purpose of her departure from the old theology, an inspiring and an impelling desire to liberate the bedy, by “¢mancipating the thoughts of men. (Science and Health, pp. 226-227). Those Who Rightly Seek Shall Find Multitudes have come into Christian Science, seeking and finding health; seeking and finding a larger share in the refinements and com- forts of life; seeking and finding domestic tranquillity; busi financial ease; multitudes will continue to come into Christian Science in the hope; of gaining the mental freedom, the contentment and peace’ they ‘have sought elsewhere in vain, and, if their purpose he honest, thes) shall not be disappointed: But the vast majority advance in Christian Science because they have, in progressing step by step, made every other consideration secondary to that of rising in spiritual understanding and working out their own salvation. In no other way than by accepting the many invitations of Christ to come unto him, to-bring our burdens and our problenis-to him, to ask of the Father, in bie ni me, believing, anything wé need—not sométhing we simply want—may divine assistance be obtain- ed along the way to salvation. To gain healing or salvation, we must be ready and willing to abandon self—self-satisfaction, self-rightcousness, self-justification. Self is the principal obstacle to our progress in Chris- ian Science. Self would block the way. We must get rid of self—but how? By réalizing that we’ are. nothing of ourselves, can do nothing for pugne)ven. decane infinite Mind is .All-in-all—by throwing up our hands in complete and humble: surrénder, and declaring, with ail the sincerity, earnestness and devotion we can command, “Not my. will, but’ thine, be done.” When this’ point is reached, and we are trusting divine love, not partly, but wholly; not conditionally, but absolutely, the point of healing is also reachéd, and salvation to crown:the healing is ;¢ome., For then the Blory of God shities into the heart of man, : . Pay pe eae _An Active, Virile, Forceful Religion There is nothing in’ Christian Sciénce that partakes of the puerile, the weak or, thé effeminate, as any of these terms may be offensively used; but there is everything that is vibrant with action, vigor, and force. Chris- tian Scitntists, as a class, are noted for a high’ order of intel! igence, for clearness of per¢éption, ‘for resourcefulness in business or proféssion, for earnestness in the performance’ of thelr tasks, for cheerfulness in theig labor, for happiness tm their play. Christian Science {s abreast with thé advanced thought of the age upon all questions of vital -interest to humiafiity. It is pronouncedly and un: It is for yj holding and rigid enforcement of liquor prohibition. It is heart anh end wit education, since it prays and works constantly for the elimination of all.ignorance. It favors and fosters all that makes for culture, purity of the spoken and the written word, (Continued on Page 3) wr refinement, true. courtesy, kindliness— oy a