HAVING in however slight a degree, apprehended the new revelation of God and man as Principle and idea, the Christian Scientist finds the study of the life of Jesus abounding with illustrations and demonstrations of cause and effect. Instead of a marvelous mosaic of glorious deeds and words, to human sense beyond understanding, he finds a well-connected, underlying system of thinking that fills him with delight and amazement. Let him take, for example the simple subject, "Water"; and remembering that things are thoughts, and that all is Mind, he will see if the holy Nazarene was not working a problem for Himself and others on these very premises.
In the third chapter of John, just after Jesus had given that object lesson in which He changes the water into wine, —showing man's supremacy over matter,— He receives Nicodemus, who comes to learn of the power by which he is performing the remarkable deeds which are already attracting so much attention. The ruler openly acknowledged his conviction that this power must be from God, and would be glad to understand it. The Master points him to something quite hidden from his mortal thought, and attempts to answer his reasonable inquiries by teaching him of a new birth by water and the Spirit. What can he mean but that Nicodemus must begin to live in another sphere, or kingdom, by cleansing his thought from material sense, and learning of spiritual reality? Not Jesus alone, but Nicodemus, and all men may do these marvels if they be born from above, for Jesus is no law breaker, but a law worker. He asks, "Art thou a ruler in Israel and understandeth not these things?"
So simple and elementary is the Principle to Him that He adds, "We speak that we do know." Alas for Nicodemus and an apathetic world! the lesson was not in the least understood, for the sons of men are so blinded by conviction of the reality of material law, that the things which belong to Spirit are sealed unto them.
