Editorials

THERE are very few who realize that Christian Science demands perfect exactness of statement, and what is more, scientific thought-processes, which are always in harmony with the requirements of divine Principle. Too long has religion been coupled with mere belief or blind faith.

THERE are few whose experience has brought them in touch with life as mortals know it, who have not found out for themselves that preaching and practice ofttimes do not companion together. One may profess with the lips obedience to the greatest of the commandments, and yet fail utterly when it comes to actual performance, though quite sincere in his desire to do what is right.

TO the students of Christian Science, nothing is more interesting than to trace the relation between the statements of Scripture which announce the establishment of God's kingdom among men, and the teachings of their text-book which make plain the part that every professed follower of Christ should take toward this end. To Christ Jesus, the kingdom of God with its life-giving laws was an eternal fact, but this was far from being the case with humanity at large; and though the religious teachers of his day doubtless admitted its existence, they practically denied the operation of its laws, which are always spiritual.

IT is quite a common thing to hear very intelligent men speak in terms of gentle irony respecting "the impracticability of the transcendental," idealism being identified by them as the dream of the visionary. They are willing to hear the dreamers talk, ready to pronounce their concepts beautiful, but as for their part and place in the actual doing of things,—well, it is simply denied that they have any.

" LET your light," said the great Teacher, "so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. " It is evident from this counsel that Jesus expected his disciples, the chosen ones who had left all to follow him, to be bright and shining lights to those still sitting in the darkness of sin and sorrow.

BELIEF in the so-called miracles is a large factor in religious faith, hence anything which tends to disturb it, militates directly against the prevailing conviction of and hold upon Christian verities. Furthermore, the disappearance of the traditional phenomena attending the activity of an assertedly divine law, tends to beget a spirit of incredulity respecting the historic actuality of such phenomena, since our human experience of the unvarying continuity of law warrants the expectation that under normal conditions it will give an account of itself, without regard to times or seasons.

A CAREFUL study of the Scriptures in the light of the teachings of Christian Science, makes it clear that the prophets of olden time had wonderful glimpses of the Science of being which enabled them to give definite rules for its demonstration along certain lines. Thus we find Isaiah saying, "Cease to do evil; learn to do well," which recalls Mrs.

"WHEN the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you," Mrs. Eddy writes on page 495 of Science and Health, "cling steadfastly to God and His idea.

THE frequent warnings to be found throughout the Scriptures against heedlessness or disobedience, indicate the possibility that men may lose what of truth they have perceived, unless they "hold fast" to it and guard it as a priceless treasure. This is declared in words of solemn import in the book of Deuteronomy, where the curses and the blessings are outlined; and again in Proverbs, where we read that long life and prosperity will be the sure portion of those who seek wisdom from its divine source and then hold it as the one thing of value.

THE eighth chapter of St. John may be thought of as a kind of epitome of the gospel teaching.