Editorials

Christianly scientific thought and action can assuredly supply the protection which is needed under any conditions, but they can do far more than this. As experience continually shows, they can annul the threatening evil.

It was summer on the farm. Two boys, eight or nine years old, scampering over the fields, came to a standstill on a hillside.

For the soldier, the statesman, the individual of any sort today, what is the practical meaning of the so called miracles of Scriptural times, those episodes in which men and women, often in apparently desperate circumstances, received by spiritual means the help they needed? In quantity and variety, no less than in quality, the episodes make an impressive record. The writer of the book of Hebrews, after referring to a number of them in detail, continues: "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

The history of the human race as recorded from Genesis to Revelation is largely a record of resistance to the divine will. Not always consciously, but nevertheless unremittingly, mortal man, desiring the way of the flesh, the way of self-determination, has opposed the will of God.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews begins with the following verse: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. " Faith is an excellent and a helpful quality, but the demonstration of Christian Science requires something more than mere faith.

In the eighth chapter of John are these words of Jesus: "Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go. " The record of Jesus concerning himself was true because it bore witness to that which is—spiritual being.

The new student of Christian Science, as he considers its teaching of the unreality of matter, is sometimes apprehensive that his progress in Science may wipe out the things he has held dear and leave a kind of emptiness in their place. The truth is, however, that progress in the demonstration of Christian Science has just the opposite effect, as Mary Baker Eddy indicates in the following words ( Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p.

It is frequently stated in testimonies given by those who have been healed through the application of Christian Science that their healing resulted from repeating "the scientific statement of being," which may be found on page 468 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The reason for this is readily seen when it is understood that this statement contains the essential spiritual facts upon which the Science of being is based.

It is evident in Christian Science that what is required for the improvement of any human condition is a change of mental standpoint. Mortals believe that they live in a material body, and that they must gain their knowledge of the universe through senses belonging to this body.

" The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works," said Jesus. In these words did he identify himself with God, and at the same time set forth his words and works as one.