Christian Science

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         This age is reaching out towards the perfect Principle
         of things; is pushing towards perfection in art, inven-
         tion, and manufacture. Why, then, should religion be
         stereotyped, and we not obtain a more perfect and prac-
10    tical Christianity? It will never do to be behind the
         times in things most essential, which proceed from the
         standard of right that regulates human destiny. Human
         skill but foreshadows what is next to appear as its divine
         origin. Proportionately as we part with material systems
15    and theories, personal doctrines and dogmas, meekly to
         ascend the hill of Science, shall we reach the maximum
         of perfection in all things.

         Spirit is omnipotent; hence a more spiritual Chris-
         tianity will be one having more power, having perfected
20    in Science that most important of all arts, — healing.

         Metaphysical healing, or Christian Science, is a de-
         mand of the times. Every man and every woman would
         desire and demand it, if he and she knew its infinite
         value and firm basis. The unerring and fixed Principle
25    of all healing is God; and this Principle should be
         sought from the love of good, from the most spiritual
         and unselfish motives. Then will it be understood to be
         of God, and not of man; and this will prevent mankind
         from striking out promiscuously, teaching and practising


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1      in the name of Science without knowing its fundamental
         Principle.

         It is important to know that a malpractice of the best
         system will result in the worst form of medicine. More-
5      over, the feverish, disgusting pride of those who call
         themselves metaphysicians or Scientists, — but are such
         in name only, — fanned by the breath of mental mal-
         practice, is the death’s-head at the feast of Truth; the
         monkey in harlequin jacket that will retard the onward
10    march of life-giving Science, if not understood and with-
         stood, and so strangled in its attempts.

         The standard of metaphysical healing is traduced by
         thinking to put into the old garment of drugging the new
         cloth of metaphysics; or by trying to twist the fatal
15    magnetic force of mortal mind, termed hypnotism, into
         a more fashionable cut and naming that “mind-cure,”
         or — which is still worse in the eyes of Truth — terming
         it metaphysics! Substituting good words for a good life,
         fair-seeming for straightforward character, mental mal-
20    practice for the practice of true medicine, is a poor shift
         for the weak and worldly who think the standard of
         Christian Science too high for them.

         What think you of a scientist in mathematics who finds
         fault with the exactness of the rule because unwilling to
25    work hard enough to practise it? The perfection of the
         rule of Christian Science is what constitutes its utility:
         having a true standard, if some fall short, others will
         approach it; and these are they only who adhere to that
         standard.

30    Matter must be understood as a false belief or product so
         of mortal mind: whence we learn that sensation is not
         in matter, but in this so-called mind; that we see and


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1      feel disease only by reason of our belief in it: then shall
         matter remain no longer to blind us to Spirit, and clog
         the wheels of progress. We spread our wings in vain when
         we attempt to mount above error by speculative views
5      of Truth.

         Love is the Principle of divine Science; and Love is
         not learned of the material senses, nor gained by a culpa-
         ble attempt to seem what we have not lifted ourselves
         to be, namely, a Christian. In love for man, we gain a
10    true sense of Love as God; and in no other way can we
         reach this spiritual sense, and rise — and still rise — to
         things most essential and divine. What hinders man’s
         progress is his vain conceit, the Phariseeism of the times,
         also his effort to steal from others and avoid hard work;
15    errors which can never find a place in Science. Empiri-
         cal knowledge is worse than useless: it never has advanced
         man a single step in the scale of being.

         That one should have ventured on such unfamiliar
         ground, and, self-forgetful, should have gone on to estab-
20    lish this mighty system of metaphysical healing, called
         Christian Science, against such odds, — even the entire
         current of mortality, — is matter of grave wonderment to
         profound thinkers. That, in addition to this, she has made
         some progress, has seen far into the spiritual facts of be-
25    ing which constitute physical and mental perfection, in
         the midst of an age so sunken in sin and sensuality, seems
         to them still more inconceivable.

         In this new departure of metaphysics, God is regarded
         more as absolute, supreme; and Christ is clad with a
30    richer illumination as our Saviour from sickness, sin,
         and death. God’s fatherliness as Life, Truth, and Love,
         makes His sovereignty glorious.


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1      By this system, too, man has a changed recognition
         of his relation to God. He is no longer obliged to sin,
         be sick, and die to reach heaven, but is required and em-
         powered to conquer sin, sickness, and death; thus, as
5      image and likeness, to reflect Him who destroys death
         and hell. By this reflection, man becomes the partaker
         of that Mind whence sprang the universe.

         In Christian Science, progress is demonstration, not
         doctrine. This Science is ameliorative and regenerative,
10    delivering mankind from all error through the light and
         love of Truth. It gives to the race loftier desires and new
         possibilities. It lays the axe at the root of the tree of
         knowledge, to cut down all that bringeth not forth good
         fruit; “and blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended
15    in me.” It touches mind to more spiritual issues, sys-
         tematizes action, gives a keener sense of Truth and a
         stronger desire for it.

         Hungering and thirsting after a better life, we shall
         have it, and become Christian Scientists; learn God
20    aright, and know something of the ideal man, the real
         man, harmonious and eternal. This movement of thought
         must push on the ages: it must start the wheels of reason
         aright, educate the affections to higher resources, and
         leave Christianity unbiased by the superstitions of a
25    senior period.






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Love is the liberator.