The attitude of the Church of Christ (Scientist) toward other denominations, is, to a certain extent, misunderstood. The only possible ground of difference is this:—The Christian Scientist claims the right to go beyond traditions and beliefs which declare that "the day of miracles is past," and "contends earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints"—by practical, scientific explanations, with "signs following," demonstrating that the method of Christ to heal the sick and reform the sinner, is not a lost art. He claims that a church "having the form of godliness" however wealthy, and socially and morally correct, is spiritually dead if it "denies the power thereof." In a word, Christian Science means a more invigorating, vitalizing, spiritual energy, and not that negative faith which cannot say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." It holds that the ratio of spiritual development is gauged by "signs following."
Instead of tearing down, it would upbuild on the sure foundations of Christ. It would purify, by understanding that God is "too pure to behold iniquity" and that we are "made in His likeness and image." It would embellish a life with the "beauty of holiness," with ever abounding love and charity—"love which worketh no ill to his neighbor," and charity which, while rebuking the sin with relentless presistency, is yet ever loving, tender and patient with the sinner. Not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfil the same. Not to deny the teachings of the Scriptures and the life of lovely Christ, but to establish the validity of the same. Not to refuse the right hand of fellowship, but rather to say, "Come my brother, let us walk together."
Brethren, do ye not see the signs of these times which declare that the morning of a new era has dawned? and that it is "high time that we awake out of sleep," wherein we have dreamed of life in matter, of pleasure in sin, of pain in sense; and to realize that "our salvation" from sickness, sorrow and death, "is nearer than we believed?"
