EVER since its establishment, Christianity has set itself the task of combating evil, and for centuries has carried on the struggle. Scores of noble lives have been given to this endeavor, and undoubtedly some progress has been made and the tide of evil has been in a measure checked; but it has not by any means been turned aside, much less entirely stanched. And why? Because, instead of accepting the simple statement that sweet waters and bitter cannot flow from the same fountain, theologians have persistently echoed the lie that "God permits evil for some wise purpose," which has hitherto seemed the only satisfactory way to explain the anomaly of evil. This same crafty suggestion of the evil one has been believed ever since the serpent subtly whispered to Adam and Eve, "God doth know that ... ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Mortals have been duped into believing that evil has its uses, and thus it follows that no radical extermination of sin, sickness, and death here on earth has been seen to be in keeping with God's will. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil is still dangling its "forbidden" fruit before the professed Christians of to-day, and many are plucking and distributing it broadcast, thereby disseminating the beliefs of sin, sickness, and death; for God said, "In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Other earnest, though undiscriminating, Christians submit to the evil of sickness, believing that God is watching, and commending them for their sufferings.
The followers of Christ Jesus were enjoined to "preach the gospel" and to "heal the sick," and the word gospel means "glad tidings." Notwithstanding this, do not the words of many Christian preachers perpetuate and well nigh champion the reign of evil through their very belief in its reality and present inevitableness? In the Glossary of Science and Health (p. 583) the church is referred to as "that institution, which affords proof of its utility . . . casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick." Before any candidate can become a member of a Christian Science church, this proof of his utility, of his practical influence as a Christian, is required of him; and it is well that individuals keep this high standard always in view, so that the spiritual healing of the time of Jesus may never again be lost to Christian ministry.
Evil has changed its forms somewhat, but the world is still sadly marred by it, and an unbiased onlooker might well ask how it is that such a long and strenuous campaign has not by this time brought greater freedom to the race? Christian Scientists join hands with other Christians in this warfare against evil, and make common cause with them all; their aim is identical with those of other Christians, and they differ only in their methods. Whereas religionists in general hold that evil is an actuality, and combat it as if it were genuine, substantial, and a mighty entity, Christian Scientists, contrariwise, are taught to regard evil as an illusion, as a libel, at all times and under every disguise, on God and on man; as an imposition which is in no way identified with the creator's plan, but rather as a nonentity of which neither God nor His creation can have any consciousness whatever. The prophet says, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity."
