The wisdom of keeping the First Commandment, that men should acknowledge none other than the one true God, is not questioned by Christian or Jew. It has stood unchallenged as the beginning of true worship, the common starting-point whereat mortals begin their journey toward the kingdom of heaven. It is here that both Jewish and Christian religionists begin to outline the course by which they hope to reach their deliverance from evil. Starting thus from the common premise of an infinite God, and admitting the duty of acknowledging none other beside Him, one would naturally expect them all to meet in a common conclusion. And yet no religious teaching save Christian Science has ever rounded the full circle of this truth to its starting-point, and declared the non-existence of any other creator, law, or intelligence.
The Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, teaches from beginning to end the infinitude of God; that He is the only Principle of being, the only power, Mind, or presence, and that He is good. Those who read the Bible will admit that it teaches the same thing. These truths have been taught from Christian pulpits for centuries. No orthodox creed could exist without them. Those religious teachers who have taken it upon them to criticise, or admonish, or condemn Christian Science, also admit their validity. And yet these truths sum up the entire teaching and practice of Christian Science.
Is it not a rather anomalous position to announce these truths from pulpit and press, and then from this same pulpit or press to condemn Christian Scientists for endeavoring to live them? If these truths are not practicable no good can result from teaching them. If they are not intended to be practised they are of no help to mortals either here or hereafter. But if these truths are practicable, for what trespass do Christian Scientists need to be forgiven when they are trying to practise them in all the affairs of life?
