Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, November 17, 1925, Page 7

\. , ¥ q ‘ ESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1925 |} A LECTURE ON | CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Entitled ' Christian Science: BY JOHN J. FLINN, C. 8. r ef the Board of Lectureship "of The Mother Church, The First * Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Masgaphusetts. piace 3 “To those healed through the writ 8 and teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, or through the understanding ind demonstration of hex students— © those healed, as was I, when hing else had failed, psig ‘pyen the last faint glimmer of - terial hope had fled—Christian Sci- nce js no mere pleasing abstraction, Bttractive philosophy, or beautiful dealism, but, rather, an immense fact, something wonderfully near ond real; something serviceable, ‘available, within one's reach, always dependable in times of uncertainty and trouble; and neyer more so than in moments of greatest need. I am-going-to assume that thoee nt who are not of the faith we rotate: are here, nevertheless; with the good purpose of learning, in so far as 1 may be able to present so great a subject in so brier a space ef time, why I and tens of thou- sands like me, in all parts of the Blobe, have accepted this faith. If am going te sasume that non- Scientists are here with the worthy Purpose of Jearning to what extent ail that they have heard, disparag- ing, of commendatory, of Christian &elence, be it much or little,—all that they have heard of its Discov- erer and Founder, of its tenets, its doctrines, its demonstrations, of the character and Lary aes of its pnembership, is or . This is unquestionably a trying ese, an age that js putting to the teat the integrity of/human morality, the stability of human progress, The very best in men and women is summoned, as never before in modern times, to rally to the protec- tion and preservation of the good achieved through centuries of earn- owt and decades of enlightened Christian Science, which never bends to reaction, nor stoops to pes- simism, is not fearful regarding the ultimate outcome of any contest be- tween truth and orror, between good and evil, for it knows that God reigns; but, being practical, neither is tt oblivious of, nor indifferent to, the obligations which present or passing conditions involve. A Time of Unusual Obligation We are living in a time when ob- Nigations 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 ile within the range of an en- vision; we are living in an broedly, deeply; and, above all, 'acien: tfieally and spiritually, is not to think adequately or rightly of the probleme confronting humanity..to- Gay. a ‘There is 80 much popular discon- ,tent, so much distrust, so much dis- setisfaction, so much disturbance of thought, nationally and internation. elly—so much of rebellious senti- ment and expression in quarters where one might naturally look for orderliness and conservatism: and, mere important and more startling than all of these, there is so strong @ tendency toward insubordjnation, Jawlessness, immorality, and crime, that the need of a strong current of counteracting influence flowing out- ward from a spiritual source, is felt deeply by all intelligent observers. It {s seen very clearly not only that this influence, to be effective, must be spiritual, but also that it must come through channels other than those through which religious imstruction has been Hewing: Lie apparently, flowing aimlessly, dur- ing many generations, Léading clerics of the orthodox school in Burope and America have reached thé point of confessing that what they dominate as the “Church” has lost ite hold upon the masses, and waueh of their effort is now directed toward regaining, if possible, the confidence which they concede has Been lost. It is frankly admitted in the orthodox pulpit, that the 'Church,” so called, has practically failed in these latter days to cope With problems of greatest concern to the human race. It is openly as- serted by theological dignitaries that the “Church,” as administered to- day, has proved to be powerless in the matier of stemming the tide of frreverence, irreligion, agnosticism, infidelity, and atheism. af No Concession to Error Now, to confess that evil is more pewerful than good, that morality eannot measure strength with im- morality, that virtue must @tve way fore vice—that Truth is, or can » crushed by’ error,—considered éven aside from religion, and as a Purely ethical proposition—is to as sume that-elvilization, as developed through two thousand years of Christianity, is a fallure, and that he human race is reverting to @ism and barbarity. Viewed from a religious standpoint such a Proposition 1s preposterous ahd un- thinkable, since it involves the pre- fumption thay thére 1* a power Breater than God, goed, in the unl- vérse,—a power more potent than pmnipotence. ‘ , Christian Science makes no con- fon to -error in any of its 8. forms, or manifestations. It not admit the reality of evil. recognizes no power in the unt- ferse but God, good. In the midet doubt, anxiety, «larni, fear, Mint of confidence in church or pul- it Jenderstip, Christian Sclence dg steadfastly to tho conviction, “phat. gince man Is God's child, the ‘eflection and {mage and likeness of 404, he cannot be separated from ls creator, deprived of his eplritual nmheritihce by any human bellot, iked as a football by chance, sub- Jectede 40 material * mutation, or rendered helpless In the presence of din, -sicknesy, discord, diseate, or death. Chriatian Science fs not at all a ind belief. It is not a theological B riment, not axconjectural creed, i A Positive Faith It is not based om legendry, tradi- uon, superstition, or fear of future punishment; it is demonstrable faith that proves with mathematical clearness and certainty, to capable and honest investigators, its claim as & Selence. Christian Selence is an understanding of fnfinite intelli- gence, and of: man's relatimship to the Supreme Being, omnipresent, omniselent, and omnipotent divine Mind, It is an apprehension and understanding of God which admits of no limitation, question nor doubt with regard to His all-seeing wis- fom, His allinclusive power, His all- embracing Loye, It is living the conviction that God made every- thing that was made; that He made everything, good; that ‘all of His creations reflect Him, ahd, therefore, that nothing unlike Him, infinite good, can be real. It is an abso lute acknowledgment and a positive aesertion, sui by living truth, that the God the Bibie—our God --goyern§ and controls the universe and all that it contains, visible and invisible, including man, and that there ts none other beside Him. A Neglected or Ignored Duty It is ‘always difficult, sometimes impossible, to follow the arguments of those geod Christian pecyle who feel it to be their duty to attack Christian Science, or to follow the reasoning upon which their argu- ments ure based. The remarkable thing 1s that so few of them, in view of all that they are learning in those times regarding the failure of orthodox doctrines and teachings to meet the present and urgent needs of the people, are able to see that the healing of the sick, suffering, and sorrowful, no matter hew long neglected or unemployed, ‘sone of te most important functions of the Christian religion, and that there can be no human reservations, ro- strictions, nor limitations when man is leaning upon the power and mercy and love of God. These good People profess unquestioning alle. Biance to the New Testament, and absolute loyalty to the words and Works of Christ Jesus, yet they find fault with Christian Science because it brings these words and. works’ down to the twentieth century, and makes them as actual and as useful to the men, women, and children of our day, as they were to men, wo- men, and children in the time of the Galilean Prophet. Truth admits of no conditional expression nor acceptance, That which {s almost, or nearly, or partly true, fs net true, Christian Science is truth, the whole truth, and noth. ing but the truth. Here it takes its stand. It abhors loose thinking, loose reasoning, and loose talking: it 1s in as little need of patronising commendation as it is of patronizing apology, Inamuch am it {s) based’ upon divine Principle, nothing short of admission of ita absolute truth will satisfy. This {s why it is so frequently called- upon to correct. well-meaning but mistaken remarks hy those who think they are speak- ing kindly of it. Teke, for instance, statements of many doctors of divinity and many doctors of medicine, than whom, as - rule, there are no more conacien- tious men in the world. It is no uncommon thing to have them con- cede a great deal to Christian Sclence. Some of them go so far as to admit openly that Christian Science has-real merit; others, that its right to recognition. as a protec- tive and healing agenoy has been established; others instances, occurring among their friends, even in their own families, where Chris. tlan Science has brought about Physical, mental, moral, and spirit- val résults of a remarkable nature; stil others advise certain of their patients, Whose cases have resisted medical treatment, to “try Christian Sclence.” There are pastors of or- thodox churches and practitioners of medicine, not a thousand miles from here, who frankly tell those sitting under them in chureh, and those who visit them for advice, that what people need is more Christian Selence in their daily liy Yet, nearly always, these ncknowledg- ments are made, and these indorse ments are voiced, with some quali: fication, Christian Selence is all right, th say, when it does not go too far, They would not likesto be caught saying that mathematical science is all right when its practice is not carried to excess. Uncompromisingly for the Truth Four thousand years of material: istle training in the medical calling might account somewhat for the stubbornness with which doctors cling to materia medica; but two thousand years of training in Christianity, the Founder of which never used a drug in healing, should - have’ been ffictent, on: would think, tq have weaned the clergy from the pharmacopoela and dependence> upon the prescription tablet. It is a deplorable fact that ministers of the orthodox churches, ordgined to practice the Christian faith, stop far short of doing so, in that they negleet or igndre the in- junction of the Master to his disciples and to all who should fol- low In his footsteps to heal the sick; and it {seven more deplorable, that, filling in the observance and per- formance of a plain duty themselves, they question and attempt to belit- tle, the demonstrations of thore who, through full observance of the commands of Christ Jesus, actually repeat in very large and growing measure his marvelous works. In’ undertaking to divide and thereby to evade, a great and ao snered duty, thewe ministers have re: served to themselves care of the pins nars, while relegating to the doctors responsibility for the care of-the sick. Is it-necessary to dwell in any Cetall upon che results of this pa- evar arrangement? y; In dealing with reoognized so- called physten! laws, or with what are called = physteal phenomena, relther doctors-of divinity nor doo. tore of \medicine hesitate to accept the setentifie truth. That is; they dr not question the law of gravita- tion, the law that controls the diurnal revolution of the earth, the law that regulates the orderly mo- tion-of the planets; or. the basic aws that determine the rise and fall * the tides. They accept unqualitied- ly the law of mathematics, How ruch less should they. question, or attempt’ to limit the operation of-di- vine Principle, which predicates the omniscience of the Maker of all Jaw! Ministers of the gospel, in partic. ular, should be more careful in any criticism which they may pass upor Christian Science, ‘since Christian clentists are simply putting into practice, what all the orthodox Christian churches have been open- ly professing, preaching, and teach. ing through the centuries—the abil- ity and willingness of God to help those who put all their trust in Him. Christian Scicpee means trust—un- limited, 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 Dis. coverer and Founder never deviated from Principle to win the favor or to avoid the censure of those bound ML with other religious doctrines, neither do her loyal. students and followers make concession of any kind either to popular or so-called scholarly beliefs in the veality of matter, They stand firmly, immov- ably, upon “the scientific statement of being,” found jn the Christian Belence textbook, ‘Sclence and Health with Key to the Scriptures” 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 or everyone present that there is no room nor. place for compromise here. If Christian Science be not in absolute line with one invariable, immutable Principle at all points, then, to use the words of Paul, “Is our preaching vain,” and, moreover, to paraphrase slight- ly the language of that great apos- tle, we who have accep.ed Christian Science are the most hopeless and most migerabl. of people. To go further, if further it would seem possible to go, if Chris tlan Sclence {s not altogether true, if the healing power of the Christ be not present yesterday, to- day, and forever—if tho Christ be uot risen—if spiritual regeneration be not within the reach of suffering humanity to-day, through a higher understanding of divine law, then, \ve who have been proclaiming our healing in Christian Sclenee from the very housetops—we who feel that we have been restored in Chris- tlan Science to health, peace, and happiness—are either duped by the Sreatest of all illusions, or we are false witnesses. But we who _have been healed in Christian Scienco— we who have been healed slowly cr bealed instantaneously, but in either case, healed permanently—and we who have practiced Christian Sci- ence in the healing of others—who have seen in our own and in the lives of those about us, unmistak- abls manifestations of the Imman- uel, or God with us—know from ex- pertence, observation, and demon- stration, that when the Principle of Christian Science 1s intelligently, honestly, and scientificalty ployed; it never fails; it cannot fall, because it is of God. © ‘Unassallable Propositions There can be ‘no questioning the logic Of Mrs. Eddy's. propositions in Science and Health that the impos- sible never happens, and that “what- ever blesses one, blesses. all” (Sel- ence and Health, p. 206).' Most of us have learned in our own expert- ence that Truth manifested radiates beyond the bounds*of ‘our vision, even beyond the bounds of our im. agination. Our reasoning faculties teach us, even if our spiritual in- tuition be dull, that if Christian Science heals in One instance through ‘the jritelligent application of divine Principle, no limitations can be placed upon. its healing power, The operation of Principle can indeed be applied to every hu- man need—to government, polities, business, economics, labor, sociology, education; when properly applied, Principle must, as {t does, perform marvels of healing in general as well as in individual ca: Here would seem to be a proper place to touch upon the unwarrant- ed and gratuitous insinuation that Christian Science is neither Chris. tian nor scientific. The man who tirst sald this, was apparently more 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 4s still repeated here and there, by persons wholly without» knowledge. of the facts, but from first to last it hag impressed only the unthinting and the prejudiced. Let us see. The term Christian Seclence was em- ployed by Mary Raker Eddy to desig: nate the sctentific system of divine healing which she discovered and founded, Nothing could be more appropriate, “logical, or justifiable than the choosing of this name, since from*almost the very begin. ning of her studies in divine meta- Physic& she helg it to be basic that “all Science is divine’ (Seiénce and Health, p, 426), a position which. ts supported to-day by growing num: bers of the world's be: thinkers, Again and again ‘net only in: the Christian Science textbook “Séience and Health with Key to the Scrip. tures,” but in all of her other writs ings, does Mary Baker Eddy take cecanion to pay humble, deep, and loving tribute to Christ Jesus. ~ The Manual of The Mother Church, writ- te by “Mrs, Eddy, which embodies rules and by¥Jaws for the, goyern- ment of the Christian Science “or- wantzation, Is imperative in demand. ing of those appointed to speak “in behalt of Chrfstian Science that they shal! alwnys speak reverently © Christ Jesus. It seems {neredible that any one even slightly aequaint+ ed with the doctrines of Christian Sclence should fail to see that they are in absolute necord with the fun- damentale of Christianity. ig Bridging a 'Theologttal Chasm With the keenness and ‘the’ clear. nese of epiritual vision which mark a! the thinking and speaking and writing of Mary Baker Teddy, she {s able to differentiate between the m&n, Jesus, and the Christ, the ab vinee Idea; and thus, to the ratixtac: tion of Jew and Gentile “altke, she hus permanently bridged for mil lier, a theological ‘chasm that had for centuries wned menacingly bofore the eyte of confused ‘and be- » Che Casper Daily Tribune wildered humanity. enabled her followers, Jews aud ( ules alike, as she has written in the tenets of Christian $clence (Science and Health, p. 4 to “acknowledge | and adore one supreme and infinite God,” to “acknowledge “His son, one Christ," -and» to subscribe .under- standingly and whole-heartedly jo those declarations of the Christian Selence faith whigh fix Christ Jesus indelibly in the thought ofall who accept and strive to follow her teachings, as the Wayshower, .the Redeemer, the Savior of humanit There is still existent in som quarters a certain amount of irrita tion because Christian Scientists, to | ure # common phrase, “make so much of Mrs.. Eddy” This elle ca tion will have to be admitted Christian Scientists do make much, very much, of Mrs. Eddy; but a sim- ple reason for it should be suffic for anybody who will give the | ing relationship between Sclenti and thelr revered Leader, a lit'le careful consideration. © Christian Thus has she | Scientists make so much of Mr Eddy because she has been means of making so much of them, because through her has. come t them a new hope, a new and bette understanding of God, a new a a better understanding of their reta tion to God, and to each other— because her teachings have opened to them a new conception of and a new incentive in IMfe—because her Giscovery, her writings, and the in- fluence that has gone ‘out to the world through her students’ and their pupils have made great num. bers of them new men and. wome: As Ancient as the Ancient of Day: ‘The Principle of Christian Science, | ‘" be it understood, fs nothing new. It has never been claimed by Mrs. Eddy or by any of her recognized the | | without | Jr Mother Church, the First irch of Christ, Scientist, in Bos- n, Massachusetts, written by Mary ker Eddy, is destined to become model for legtsiation {n all coun- ries desifous of protecting religion from state regulation or political meddling. Testimony at First Hand Lawyers, I believe, will agree with me that there fs nothing in the line 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 sb much tles. hurt nor offended right-of their rever much recognition questioned, for they attribute such criticism to lack of understanding of the facts. They would rather, in- deed, come into personal contact with the vigorous, robtst, out: spoken, honest doubter, than with one who {s everready to accept superficlally*everythlug that is of- fered, without looking for proof, and proper consideration or in- tigation. The more questions an honest and earnest inquirer asks in Christian fence, the more proof he demands; more determined he is to “find for himself," the more promis- ing convert and better church mem- ber and worker he becomes even- tually, Christian S¢lence Is never attacked by those who have studied it intelligently, open-mindedty, and weight to his Christian’ Scientists. do not when the gratitude Is roughly; it is assailed only by Se who take a casual and preju- lance at it, who read Science ahd Health as they would an ordi. book, running through it as th would through a volume pre- ering? Ragas Bet ‘papion oe og for popular entertainment, 1a It has oxistea|“@ not for serious and careful through the eternities. It has been | ({Wl¥;, 70 & word, Christian Sel brash Natu aocde ot GOES eons | who do not understand what it roughout all ages, an 85 | teaches, what it alms to do for hu. known more clearly, and practiced | ," more widely and successfully, by | Jesus and his disciples than-by any that had preceded them, or by any that followed them, down to the time that the divine light of revela tion shone into the consciousness of @ 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 the benefit of humanity here and now, was rediscovered by Mary Baker Eddy, This ts her claim to our gratitude, our affection. our reverence. Her great task, thy greatest that woman has ever been called upon to perform, wag to pro- claim and demonstrate, convincing- ly, to a doubting world, her marvel. ous revelation. In her own simple but beautiful language, she tells us when and how each of her steps was taken. She left nothing to mere assertion. She proved by demonstra- tion every declaration whi¢h she set down in writing. «This she was en- abled to do "through the’ spiritual iHumination-“of thd Scriptures which preceded, aceompenied, and fol- lowed her own remarkable healing, and through’ hér ehfire dependence upon the Bible thenceforth for in- struction and direction, 5 | Just as the Digcoverer and Founderer of ‘Christian. Science places the Bible firat-at all times; just _as she looks to It andclings to it at all times for tnapiration and for strength; just as she has given it first-place in the services of the church which she instittted and es. tablished, so do all of her loyal fol- lowers solemnly subscribe to the tenets she has given that church, the very first of which. reads: “As adherents of Truth, we take the in- splred Word of the Bible as our sut- ficient guide to eternal Life’ (sel. ence and Health, p. 497). It is en- trely within reasonable bounds to say that in no other class or de- nomination of professed religionists 1) the Bible esteemed more highly or studied more regularly, closely, earnestly, or intelligently, than it is among Christian Scientists. The Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, is an exposition of the Bible, a “Key to the Scriptures,’ and as such, it has.already unlocked for millions, as it shali unlock for countless millions to come, inex- haustible treasures of spiritual wis. dom and understanding. Truth Spurned by Orthodoxy Christian and orthodox in her en- slronment through childhood, girl- hood, and young womanhood; Chris- tlan and orthodox in research and thought throughout her long years of study to fit herself for the work to whjch she had been called, Mrs, addy was moved by no impulse ta overturn the faith of Wer Puritan ancestors, but, rither, to buttress it with the supports which it/lacked and which, she intuitively felt, were obtainable through higher and holler understanding ot tho ‘Serip. tures, It was her fond and cherished Lope that the established Protestant churches, at ledst, might be led to investigate intelligently her discov. ery, and to accept the proofs which she was prepared to offer in sup: port of the philosophy to whieh this Aiscovery Auevitably pointed; and it waa only when her advances were rejected, and even spurned, in quar, ters where they should have been VWelobmied, thit€ elie had! recourse tg another ‘vehicle for the diaseminn- tion of the truth that had been rey vealed to her. If Mary Baker 1 achieved in other Ways the highest human. recognition that can be ac. corded a woman; if cold convention Pa studied and nurtured prejudice would deny her the exalted place she has won in the world as the greatest of its reformers sice the Nazarene, tho liberal and Anitghtened thought of mankind would, nevertheless, in- evitably award her a place tn the temple of fame for the service she han rendered the cause of religious freedom. 1 The Christian Sele nal alone Will stand ag a perpetual mon: ument tos the dnspired wisdom of Mary Waker Bddy. Only recently hak It impelled one of the most re- markable legal Wecisions tn support of relighous imgnunity from civil tn tetference, ever handed down by a court of sipremé furtediction in the United ‘States or in any other coun. try. Tt haw taken Centuries to bring Hout the separation of Chuteh and State, even in the degree to which dy had not this divoréement 1s at present recog. nized and enforced. The Manual of nor what It accomplisies. It Is safe to say, on the other hand, that an overwhelming majority of th who accept Christian Science, are peréons who are prepared to give a reason 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 Influence of others; who do hot 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 be- come convinced, beyond a doubt, that they know. Paul knew. He had had personal experience with the regenerative rower of Spirit. He drew and con. vinced great audiences everywhere because he was able to give testi mony 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 Ughtning flash, transformed his character and enabled him to put off forever the “old man. with his deeds." There are tens of thousands o Pauls in our day throughout the world—tens of thousands of per sons, that is, who have been turned, often with the quickness of a light. ning flash, through Christian Scl- ence, from wrong to right thinking, healed of sick and sinning beliefs, released from pernicious tendencies, relieved of slavish habits, liberated from bondage, and restored to the lberty which belongs 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, ag demonstrated in Chris- tan Sefence, and to offer heartfelt gratitude to Mary Baker Eddy, who led them by her teachings from darkness into light. The Paramount Mission of Christian Science Tt must never be forgotten that Christian Science is engaged first and last, 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 {ts greatest joy is to labor unceas- ingly for the bringing back of prim- itive Christianity in all its purity, simplicity, and grandeur, and to re- establish, In a world sorely in need of ft, that agsurance of prerent-day Salvation from error and its con quences, which the Master promised to all who would keep his command- ments..He came with healing in his thought, with healing in his voice, with healing In his touch—with heal- ing in his heart—and he went about everywhere doing good, yet sorrow- ing in his labor. of love: over the ignorance and perversity of men. Now, a8 in. his the Word Urough Christian Science, is healing all manner of dl ner of discord, yet Christian Sclent- ists Know that, as in Jesus’ day, the healing of physical ailments is a means, rather than an end. Because of the stiffness of their necks and the rebellidusness of thelr will, in, our times was the case twenty centuries ago, the great ma- Jority of human beings. must be Im- Rressed by some tangible evidence, suitable to thelr understanding, of the all.important part which ‘spirit- nal law. plays in regulating their lives, their affairs, occupations, and circumstances; in determining the and all man- Those Who Hunger and Thirst. It cannot be denied that Christian Science holds universal attention to- day. So-called skeptics and Infidels, no less than orthodox Christians, are keenly interested in its doctrines and its demonstrations. The throngs of non-Scleniisis which everywhere throughout the world flock to Christ- fan Science lectures, to Christian Sct- ence testimonial meetings, and to Christian Science seryices afford ample proof of this deep and wide- spread Interest. All classes of people see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears something of its accomplishments for the good of hu- manity and the glory of God, and are seeking to learn mors about It. And who should hinder them in this seeking, since wisdom, the under standing of man's true relationship to omnipotence, is to ba desired be. yondvall else that may be sought or attalned in this world? “Whence then cometh wisdom? and where !s the place of under. standing?"’ asks Job, And he replies; “God understandeth the way there- of, and he knoweth the place there- of. 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 understanding.” “Wisdom is the principal thing,” said So!omon in his proverbs, “therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get under- standing.” To obtain an understanding of Christian, Stience {s to obtain an un- derstanding of the one ever present and supreme power in the universe, reyerently named God, a term which in Christian Sclence embraces all that is good, and to obtain at the same time an understanding of man’s relationship to this infinite Being. Those who are really earn: est in the desire to know God come in the right frame of thought, if they come to Christian Science as form of slavery. § ¢ of the great est revolutions of modern times have been justified on the ground of man’s inalienable right to life, Uberty, and the pursuit of -happi Ness—an assertion of elemental hu- man privilege which al! the world recelves today in the light of a self. evident truth Two thousand ye: ago man's right ‘to life, in all its fullness, was proclaimed by Christ Jesus in pres ence of the persecuting Pharisees, in that beautiful figure of whehein he describes himself Shepherd devoted to the and welfare of his come,” he said, “that have life, and that they speech as a protection flock I they m nought little children, trustful, and hopeful, receptive of and eager for light, and determined to profit by it, It {s allimportant 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- tlan Science textbook, to study both zealously and religiourly, and to put their teachings into practice as fast Qs an understanding of them is gained. All the Christian Science is contained In these two inspired vol- umes, To study the. Bible and Science and Health, intelligently and profitably, demands of the student constant re. course to prayer, as prayer is under- sood in Christian Science. It Is a xuccess of thelr careers, in solving thelr minor as well as their major problems. Only thus are they brought to recognition of the ever-presence of God, and to a@ realization of the fact, that Paramount mission of Christian ce is not the heal, ing of sicknes# and disease, but the destruction of ignorance, fear and xin, which He at the root of all hu man sorrow ahd suffering. Christian Scientists make on strong: er pretensions of hellef in the Bible than do other professed Christians, but Christian Scientists go Curther than belief, they trust and strive to understand. And according to the measute of their understanding 49 they make practical application, of Bible truths and achieve demonstra- Hom Here ls where the great, aifter- enee liew, One might believe In math- ematics fervently; devotedly, indefl- nifely, without ever getting further Ulan belief. Mere belief would never solve a problem tn figures.’One must take chalk, or pencil, or pen Jn hand, and work the problem out fn accord. ance with the rule of the science, if anything worth while is to be aceom. plished... Christian Selentists, prove (he truths of the Bible by) under standing and demonstration as they go along, and bring realization of ite prophecies and promises into thelr everyday experience, fact, strange as it may appear to those of other religious denomina- tions, that through Christian Science many thousands of earnest and de- yout Christian people have been in- structed for the first time how to ob- tain results from prayer. When we learn how to pray as Christian Scl- ence teaches, in that same hour we also learn how to help and heal our- celves and how to bring comfort, peace, and healing to others. The Way of Healing and Salvation. it more abundantly,’ told those who were striving rass. and embarrass him knowing the truth, they might se cure real freedom. In almost his first utterance in the presence of the rabbis, he read from the proph- et Esain the marvelous passage predicting the coming of the Mes- siah (Luke 4:18), In the first. psalm to ha- how, by ja lala town n may at- which is but an- contentment, proms happiness. And Mary the Discoverer’ and Christian has lence and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” the Chris- tlan Science textbook as the pur- pose of her departure from the old theology. an Inspiring and an tm pelling desire to liberate the body. by emancipating the thoughts of men. and Health, pp. 227). Those Who Rightly Seek Shall Find. Muitudes have come into Chris. an Science, seoking and finding health; seeking and finding a larger share in the refinements and com: forts of life: seeking and finding do. mestie tranquility; business success the basis upon which ma tain blessedness, other name for perity and dy, Science, written in (Science Whether we seek understanding or healing\in Christian Science, and it should be remembered that un- derstanding is possible only through the healing of ignorance, self- opinion, and prejudice, we mr come in simplicity, trustfulness, and confidence; we should have arrived at @ decision to go the full length, to cut all bridges behind us; we should be ready to turn our backs on envy, jealousy, hate, superstition, fear —evil-thinking, evil-speaking, ovil-doing. There must be no more doubting, shifting, hesitation, Noth- ing short of unconditional surrender will open the door that leads from captivity to freedom. The waver- ing, undecided, and unready should blame themselves only if indulgence in these prociivities hinders the work of the teacher or the prac- titioner, defers healing, or some- Umes entirely prevents it, Christian Scientists have come to know, and measurably to under- stand, God, through the teachings and works of Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, and through the revela- tion which Mary Baker Eddy has given the world—a revelation which, among other things, has reestab- lished in the consciousness not only of her students and followers, but of vast numbers who may not as yet be included denominationaliy among theese, the firm conviction that Jesus did not demonstrate the divine power to heal for any select number or for a Mmited period of time. We have his proph and promige: “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; because I go unto my Father.” Mrs. Eddy looked forwatd im- pileltty Ukewise to the oppertuni which would come to her followe for the accomplishment of greater ttemonstrations than any that were crowning thelr efforts in tho first half-contury of Mind-healing which her discovery had brought about. She h Plainly stated (Science and Health, p. 348), “I have never sup- posed the world would immediate: witners tho full frultage of Ch=fetian Sclence.” 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 understand:ng, the gatl ering of greater harvests than she had been priviteged to see. Man's Right to Peace and Happiness For ages men have been engaged in a continuous effort to get more out of Ife, to obtain a larger meas ure of freedom, and to find in the finan! ease; mutititudes will con- tinue to come into Christian Science in the hope’ of gaining the mental freedom, the contentment and peace they have rought elsewhere in vain, and, if their purpose be honest, they shall not be disappointed, But the vast majority advance In Christian Science because they have, In pro- sressing step by step, made every other consideration secondary to that of rising in spiritual under standing 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 problems to him, to ark of the Father, in his name, believing, anything we need —not something we simply want— may divine assistance be obtained along the way to salvation. To gain healing or salvation, we must be ready and willing to abandon self— self-satisfaction, self-righteousness, self-justification, Self is the principal obrtacle to our progress in Chris- tian Sclence. Self would block the way. We myst get rid of self—but how? By rea'izing that we are noth- Ing of ourselves, can do nothing for ourselves, because infinite Mind ts» All-in-all—by throwing up our hands in complete and humble surrender, and da ing, with all the sincerity, earnest #, and devotion we can command. “Not my will, but thine, be done.” When this point t* reach ed, and we are trusting divine Love not partly, but wholly, not condition ally, but absol the point of heal ing is alro and salvation to crown the healing | For then the glor of God t i t heart of man An Active, Virlie, Forceful Religion. There is nothing in Christian Sct ence that partakes of the pueriie, the weak or the effeminate, as any of these terms may he offensively used; possession of both, that ease, which make up the sum of human happt ness, But the prizes sought have been elusive. They have lost thelr value even with seeming attatnment, for tho struggle to capture them, has, in the main, been carried along on the theory that happineys is something material, and therefore something to be pursued by pam pering the material senses and turning loose upon the chase the sensual desires. Not the objective, not the thing sought, but the method and vurpose behind the seeking, have been wrong. “Prosperity “and happiness are conditions to which we all should aspire, if only we strive for them with right motives and in the right way. To yearn fét those things which make for the greater completeness of human existence. hase beén sanctloned and legitima tized from the very beginning. but there is everything that is vi brant with action, vigor, and fore Christian Scientls 4 a cliss, are noted for a high r of Intelligence for clearness of perception, for re sourcefulness in business or profes: sion, for earnestness to the pérform ance of their tasks cheerfulness In thelr labor, for happiness in theft play Christian Setence reast with the advanced thought of the age up on all quertions of vital Interest to humanity, It Ia pronoyncedly and un: compromisingly for the matntenance of law and order. It is for the up holding and rigid ¢ of i nd with education, prays and works constantly for the el{tn Inatfon of all ignorance, It favors and fosters all that makes for refine ment, true culture, purity of the spoken and the written word, court esy, kindliness beautiful and edifying tn everything thut is art—ever thing that tends to tmpro public taste, public life, and public morals. Through {ts heading, and teach Ings, Christian Sctence has already elevated the thought and conse quently, the charactér of vast num. bers of people In all parts of the globe, and every one of thexé, If he be doing his part, {fs spreading the truth, expressing his ‘gratitude, not by intruding. his. faith upon others not by engaging in acrimonious con troversy, nor by indulging in use. lese und fruitless argument, but by living that faith and Jetting bis light shine Through the reflection of Lite Truth and Love, among Christian Scientists, the omnipotent power of God is belng-more widely recognized >| Wrong thinking PAGE SEVEN God's promises to His children have | among thoughtful people now than always been represented as in ans: | ever | and there is coming into wer to the desire, or prayer, for a] (he cor usness of the nations, higher understanding ef Him—th slowly but sure a sense of reyer- is, for a higher understanding and spiritual which will ppreciation of Life in ft 1 @ thought asa well io meaning. * of im Christian Science teache that | Rich in Blessed Consolations. lack, Imitation, poverty, are among | — gnristian Science is rich in blessed the errors to be overcome by @p-| oo ccoiations for the struggling prehension and understanding of |) o.ot, and generous in the granting the truth that divine Love is the] Oe tnem, and one of the most benefl- source, and only source, Of SUPPIY+| cont of these is the assurance thet Christian Sclence teachs that Pov-| Were there is an honest desire sor erty and unhappiness are abnormal,| | wgerstanding and healing, and @ due to wrong thinking and to wrong | canuine willingness to ve talight living. Christian Scince teaches | on4 titted out of trouble, help Ig-al- that prosperity and happiness are) vive at hand. Those who seek. un- destrable, and that they are attain-| derstanding and help in Chriatlan able, when rightly, that ts, when] science, sincerely and confidéntly, spiritually, sough do not fall to find It, Nobody meed It 1s the desire for the spiritual] pause haitingly at the door, tearing peace and harmony which constitute | to enter he t ught beneath real prosperity and happiness that| consideration, or beyond “ope or has led advanced thinkers of all Ip. Since God ts Loye, and God Umes to be discontented with condi | js omnipotent. nothing that s good tlons as they have found them.|can be impossible, There is sometimes a vast diffe Never has there been a time in all ence between contentment and hep: | history when men and women wero piness, To content with le8*] in greater need than now of-*hat than Justice, would mean agceptance | cearness of sight, that, steadiness of of wrong; to be content with any-| purpose, that strength of character thing less than freedom. would probity, perspicacity, and line mean complacent agreement in some —which-are akable moral stamin: imparted through spiritual discern- ment and spiritual understanding tn Christian Sojence, It is the mia- sion and purpose of our falth’ to bring the kingdom of God to earth, by dispelling the illusion that ma terlalism and sensuality can éatlefty | the legitimate human desire tor ¢on- tentment prosperity, and happiness. The wreckage all-about us of hopes, longings, desires, am- bitions, based upon the attalnment of worldly success, for its own sake, should constitute an impreasive warning to men and women of all classes and in all walks of society, in this day and generation, Wrong Thinking and Its Remedy is at the bottom not only of individual troubles and sorrows and sufferings, but it is the cause of all the harrowing evils that beset the family, the commun- ity, the nation, and the world at large. Christian Science offerr right thinking as a corrective—as an obtainable, feasible, and, tn fact, as the only possible remedy for this stupendous evil. If the thoughts of humanity were in harmony with the divine Mind, with the Commandments, with the Beatitudes, with the Prophets, with the teachings of Christ Jesus and his disciples, with the Prinojple of Christian Sclence, “as revealed through and expounded and taught by Mary Baker Eddy, the world would be speedily freed from fer- ment, confusion, and tumult,-Chris- tian Sclence corrects,- exalts, and strengthens the thought of the In+ dividual: the thought of the com- munity, the nation, and the world will be straightened, elevated, and strengthened proportionately with the increase in the number of in- dividuals who shall claim ond win their natural inheritance ef spiritual light and understanding, and who engage in the work of spreading the truth of being among thelr fellows. Christian Sctence has helped man: hundreds of thousands of sick and sinning, sorrowing and suffering, disappointed, discouraged and de- spalring men and women to obtain their first glimpse of salvation, to wet their first experience of heaven on earth, to realize fully for the first time that God is All-in-all, that He is Life, Truth, and Love, that He is an ever present help in trouble, thelr strong deliverer, thelr sure sal- vation, In, Christian Sefence they learn more certainly than in any it other way, because they learn through their own demonstration, that while Infinite Mind fs righteous and exacting, infinite Love is tender, considerate, compassionate, and mer+ ciful; that God, good, Is ever ready, has ever been ready to hear the sigh and to wipe away the tears of the truly penitent, to soothe the hearts of those who, wearled of material falsities and disappointments, turn to the spiritual for rest, peace, and contentment. The Praying of the Scientist. The Christian Scientist, If he be faithful, prays without ceasing; but he prays not to a God made in man's image and Ikeness, but to Infinite Mind, infinite Truth, infinite Life, In, finite Love—to the Being who lacks nothing in wisdom—to the One who knows without being told what is st for His children, and who has eady provided for them out of of His Inexhaustible erything they need. ‘The n Sole ys constantly r ght and anding. for the lind to be tn him which was also Christ J He prays, If he be true to his falth, that he may be a Rood man, a good friend, a good citi: wen; and, with all his praying, utters ed or unexpressed, he prays that righteousness, justice, harmony, and tranquillity shall dwell in the con- sclousnéss of men throughout all the earth. The Greatest of These Is Love. ude ntists 18 Christian nee is ersentially @ religion of faith, hope, love, these three. To the Christian § greatest of these is Tove, mprehends all—that Jove which loth not behave itself unseemly, eeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evel; . . . beareth all things, believeth alt things, hopeth all things, endureth ull things,"—that love which from our vy beginning in this new-old faith prompts and urges us to strive constanUy, and enables us to strive successfully, against evéry sugges tion of error, agal. tion of eyil, against resentment, every personal dis!ike— fainst every unjurt. uneharitable, unworthy estimate of those with whom we come in contact—until we ire brought to a clearer conception f our place in the divine plan, to a | Culler real'zation of our responatbil- ity to God,-to our neighbor, and to ourselves, Work for us there t# in plenty— Eyery one must do bis part; Faith is barren, cheap and empty If not rooted In the heart What the us, What though error would re Freely we receive, then let Freely stare with all our gain. gh thoughts. of self beset train) us Counting as of little matter Whom our thoughts may day, Tis our Christly part to scatter Seeds of love along our way. touch to