THE instructions of a man who was never known to make a mistake ought to be worthy of emulation, yet professing Christians will tell us that many of the precepts of our Lord and Master cannot be made practical in every-day life. Is this because they have not obeyed these very precepts, but are trying to believe without understanding them?
Jesus' life was a complete exemplification of the precepts he taught, and when we stop to think of the marvelous good that was wrought during his brief stay on earth, of the peace and joy and happiness that entered into the lives of others, of the sick who were healed and of the sinful who were redeemed, is it an evidence of Christian loyalty and appreciation to believe that his teachings cannot be made applicable to the every-day needs of our present civilization? Should not such grand achievements rather encourage and stimulate us to a more determined effort to grasp the true meaning of the Master's words and works and to apply them? How may this be brought about? The Master has told us in unmistakable language how we may arrive at correct conclusions concerning his doctrine, and there is no record of any better or easier way than that which he taught. He said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." He came not alone as a professor but as a doer of God's will, and because he lived in strict accord with his teachings, thereby proving their divinity, he became the Exemplar or Way-shower of mankind. It was what he did, more than what he said, that proved the divinity of his mission and of his doctrine. His love and devotion found their highest expression in his works of healing. Can the churches of to-day afford to be oblivious of this fact? Had Jesus not lived in harmony with what he taught, humanity to-day might have some excuse for not following in his footsteps; as it is, they are placed in the embarrassing position of professing to love him, without doing what he commanded; when he has plainly said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." In this connection it is well to note that he did not say, "Keep some of my commandments, but pay no attention to others." He did not say. "Preach the gospel, but do not heal the sick," and yet this is the kind of obedience which many are trying to render at the present time.
Christian Science has come to this age to restore to Christianity the undivided garment of Christian living and Christian healing, and because it is doing the very works that Christ did, and which he said should and would attend every true disciple, many who say they love their Lord are the very ones to criticise and condemn Christian Science. Truly saith the apostle, "My brethren, these things ought not so to be." That some do not understand Jesus' spiritual origin, is no reason why his teaching should not be obeyed, for nearly everybody does concede that he was a good man, and as such he has certainly said and done things which are worthy of serious consideration. Others will argue that they have tried in vain to apply his teachings, but have failed to obtain practical results. These and other arguments which would tend to encourage ignorance of and indifference to the real worth of the Master's precepts, only show the need of Christian Science, which advocates obedience to all the Saviour's commands and makes plain to humanity the Principle of his mighty works, so that it becomes possible for every true follower to "know of the doctrine, whether it be of God" or of men. If the time spent in arguing doctrinal points and in the outward observance of creed and ritual were only devoted to the actual overcoming of the ills and sins of humanity, in the way that the Saviour commanded, there would soon be little excuse for any one to question his divine origin. The healing of sickness and sin through Christ, Truth,—and in no other way can they be healed,—throws light on the immaculate conception, dispels mysticism, doubt, and fear, and reveals to individual consciousness man's true relationship to God, so that mortals can begin to work out their salvation, something they could not do before they understood the healing power of divine Mind.
