Putting on record insights into the practice of Christian Science.
Editorials
Some translators of the New Testament render the phrase, "there should be time no longer," "there shall be no further delay," indicating that the conditions named in the prophecy were capable of immediate fulfillment. Whether viewed in the light of this modern rendering or that of the translators of the King James Version, which seems to imply the complete cessation of time, the fact remains that, as Mary Baker Eddy states on page 598 of Science and Health, "Time is a mortal thought, the divisor of which is the solar year.
If Christendom were asked whom it regarded as the greatest man who ever lived on earth, the answer would assuredly be, "Christ Jesus. " And it would be based on a knowledge of the Master's lifework—a knowledge of his teaching and its application to the healing of all manner of error, and of the effects of his teaching on the spiritual progress of the human race.
" Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juæda in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Deeply hidden in many a heart lies the longing for higher ideals and achievements. Especially at Christmas time this may be glossed over by traditional merrymaking, but the longing persists and will be satisfied.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus approaching him, before the Master was baptized by him in Jordan, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world," words which will never be erased from the annals of time. Did John mean by these words that it was the human Jesus who should do this wonderful thing—take away the sin of the world? No; only the Christ, which Jesus declared and demonstrated, could do that.
For centuries humanity in general has been subjected to suffering on account of its mistakes, ignorant or willful. In spite of the inspiring and comforting statement, "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved," humanity has been victimized through the ages by condemnation and self-condemnation.
It is obvious that when Mrs. Eddy wrote, in "Retrospection and Introspection" (pp.
Christian Science reveals the true nature of God and man. God, it declares, is perfect Mind, and man is Mind's perfect image, reflection, or idea.
In no particular, perhaps, did our Leader manifest greater wisdom than in her ordination of the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as "our only preachers" ( Christian Science Quarterly, Explanatory Note, p. ii ), and in her provision for the Lesson-Sermons to be read in our churches.
The understanding of God is the remedy for every error under the sun. God and His manifestation is all that exists.