“And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." (Advice of Gamaliel, to those who were subjecting the Apostles to persecution at Jerusalem.)
The advent of Christian Science meets the same opposition and persecution as did the advent of the teachings of Jesus, the Christ. From clergy, press, and people arises the cry, "We will not have this Truth to rule over us." To the materialist, Christian Science presents two obstacles difficult for him to overcome. Its basis being spiritual and not material, metaphysical not physical, he finds no foundation for his argument for the reality of matter, and no premise for his theory of the physical, perishing construction of mortals. The dogmatist, the ritualist and the transubstantiator, find its theology, its simple service, its spiritual and demonstrable Christianity, as unlike their worship, as Jesus' teachings and life were unlike that of the scribes and Pharisees; of whom he said, "except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
The teachings of Jesus meet every human need; and, if absolutely followed, lead to life eternal. He gave his commands to all who believed on him, (not on the person of Jesus, but on the Christ; the Principle of the man Jesus) "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.... Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils." Here the Master has given five commands to those whom he was about to send forth to proclaim the glorious "Gospel of Peace." To-day but one of these commands, that of preaching the Gospel, is fulfilled; the four remaining, seeming to be entirely lost to the sight of professing Christians.
