WE may know something of the future of practical Christianity because of the "exceeding great and precious promises" of the Word, which have enlisted our faith and trust. To be sure, we are principally concerned with present good; but, scientifically interpreted, Christianity makes its promises for the future emphatic, and we read them and speak of them with gratitude.
The present period in human history is marked by a spiritual awakening and a quickened sense of discernment between good and evil, and the individual is continuing more earnestly in the right and loving the good. It must be logically conceded by students of Christianity that this disposition on the part of improving mortals is derived from God and plainly indicates that God is with men. At this point the atheist's assertion that there is no God is refuted. Here also the Christian Scientist presents his reasoning that God always has been and always must be with men; that God and man are co-existent and inseparable as Principle and idea; that the real man must therefore be spiritual and not material; and that sin, which is unreal and delusive, and which inflicts its own punishment, has ever denied this holy alliance between the Father in heaven and man in possession of heavenly harmony. Thus the relations between God and man are set forth in Christian Science.
There may be many who doubt that a disposition to be good and to do good is now in the ascendency, and who think that, on the contrary, evil is becoming more open and general, to the confusion and undoing of those who advocate religion and reform. Let us consider the question.
In the year 1866, Mrs. Eddy, the Leader of the Christian Science movement and author of its text-book, a devout, Christian worker from her childhood, discovered the divine, metaphysical Principle which heals the sick, and immediately she arose to assert that Christ had never left us (see Matthew, 28:20) and to commence the healing of others and the teaching of Christian Science as its fuller meaning unfolded to her. Her followers are now a multitude, and with her they follow Christ, feeling the confidence expressed in St. Paul's statement, "I know whom I have believed." Now, when hundreds and thousands of men, women, and children throughout the world, representing every branch of commercial, professional, and educational activity, know something of spiritual truths and are learning them better day by day, are finding it necessary to live purer, more useful lives,—helping the oppressed and needy wherever possible, they are certain to hasten the day of deliverance for those who are still in bondage to dishonesty, malice, envy, hate, lust,—blind to purity, gentleness, love. A good example is an eloquent sermon.
All that is required of a religion in order that its adherents may reach a high standard of morals and usefulness is that it be a religion in nature as well as in name. It must come proclaiming God; its attack must be upon whatever is ungodly and idolatrous; and there is Scriptural authority for believing that it must include the healing of the sick as well as the reformation of the sinful.
The denominational growth of Christian Science is considered remarkable; and its revelation of man's spiritual being and dominion, in contrast to certain subtle and depraving systems of mental practice, identifies it as Divine. It is religion found practical and satisfying.
If we consider the claim that sin has power and prestige, we are instantly reminded that sin is unnatural and unreal, and we learn that the better and permanent state, that of godliness, is the truth of existence to every individual. For a season only can the carnal consciousness find pleasure in worldliness and self-seeking, for it is co-ordinate with the law of annihilation. The metaphysician, putting his trust in God, successfully defends himself against many forms of temptation, and experiences a new birth,—a birth "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." As we learn of God, good, we behold the nothingness of His opposite, evil.
If we have considered the far-reaching and practical effects of Christian Science as a religion, and the reader is familiar with Scriptural prophecy, he has his answer as to what' the future of Christian Science will be. If to-day the sick and sinful are being reclaimed and given an understanding of God, the future must witness the end of all evil in human experience. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." "How long it must be before we arrive at the demonstration of scientific being, no man knoweth,— not even 'the Son, but the Father;' but this one thing is certain, that error will continue its delusions until the goal of goodness is assiduously earned and won" (Science and Health, p. 23).
In view of the fact that all Scriptural teaching points to the ultimate triumph of spirituality, we cannot do better than learn of spiritual things to-day. As Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health, p. 32, "It is highly important— in view of the immense work to be accomplished before this recognition of divine Science can come—to turn our thoughts in this direction, that finite belief may be prepared to relinquish its error."
Will not the future, as to-day, afford a mission for a religious teaching that will unite the churches of all denominations? If there is but one God who is infinite and all-powerful,—a fundamental doctrine of Christianity, —what is the excuse for there being so many differing religious denominations? We believe there is no excuse, and that an explanation only can be presented in this connection; namely, personal opinion has repeatedly usurped the place of divine wisdom in the guidance of religious affairs. If, during the past fifteen hundred years, the practice of Christianity had included the healing of the sick on the ChristPrinciple, and a closer compliance with the Sermon on the Mount, there probably would have been, long ere this, a universal Church in the world. There is now and always has been a universal Church in Christ. But we need not be surprised that the history of Christianity fulfils the conditions: "First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear;" only we are solicitous that the ripened ear may one day be harvested. There are to-day clear indications that progressive religious thought will erase denominational lines and find the solution of all vexed questions in practical, scientific Christianity.
In the twelfth chapter of St. Mark we learn that the commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself," is preceded in importance only by that one which defines man's duty to God. We believe that a more absolute obedience to this "second" commandment, as well as to the "first," will be an essential feature of future religious progress. Men will find that they enhance their own pleasure and well-being by displaying love and forbearance, and that the indulgence of selfishness and hate can only result in their own misery and misfortune. It will come about that men will do right, not from fear of punishment but because they want to do right, recognizing that only through right doing can they gain spiritual riches. When they have gained a fuller understanding of God they will own Him to be their strength, their intelligence, their guide in all things. Such must be the fruits of scientific Christianity as it advances, putting less and less "trust in princes" and reiterating its demand for "works."
Christ Jesus taught a profound lesson when he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing," and "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." How plain it is that man in his finite capacity can really do nothing that will stay done. He must learn the truth of his being (godlikeness), and then he will build firmly and well in God's ways. The follower of our Master and Exemplar must learn meekly day by day, and strive to put into practice what he learns. If he is confronted by a condition of disease, he declares that it is an unreality because not found in God; and he proves the truth of his assertion when the disease is healed. If he is confronted by a condition of sin,—be it dishonesty, strife, profanity, or any selfish indulgence,— he instantly feels its reproach, and compassion for his brother; he feels somewhat the weight that Jesus felt, but, like Jesus, he is lifted above the sin and his realization of Truth heals it. Such must continue to be the Christian ministrations that accomplish the work of redeeming man from worldliness, and that reveal the kingdom of heaven within him.
To a rapidly increasing army of religious workers, the term Christian Science is synonymous with all that stands for primitive Christianity,—the era marked by Divine healing, when Jesus and bis disciples went about doing good. It stands for the earlier teachings that gave us the Mosaic law and prepared humanity for the advent of Christ. Further, it is held that the fruits of Christian Science to-day prove it to be the impersonal second advent of the Christ or "Comforter." The work of Christian Science in the experiences of its adherents has been spiritual, moral, and physical healing, and they have been made happier, more contented, and more useful. As "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," Christian Scientists find that much of their work is with themselves that they may remain steadfast and bring forth more perfect fruits.
To the individual, "now is the accepted time;" the future is confidently intrusted to the infinite wisdom that provides for us to-day. We feel, however, that Mrs. Eddy's work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," will explain and elucidate the Bible in the future as in the past; and, in the light of spiritual understanding, the sick will be healed and the sinful will be reformed.
Mrs. Eddy says, on page 496 of Science and He "Hold perpetually this thought,— that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost or Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being."
