CHRISTIAN SCIENCE is not a mysterious, occult human philosophy, it is the plain, practical knowledge of the divine law of being, as taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus. It is simplicity itself to the children, who readily adjust their thoughts to its teaching and prove its helpfulness in times of trouble. And the adult, be he learned or illiterate, who will become as a child, who will free his judgment from prejudice and false conclusions, and his heart from all unwillingness and insincerity, may find the same simple way to the understanding and demonstration of Christian Science. It is not Science, or Truth, but the belief in matter, the belief that it bases life, law, and substance, which mystifies mortals and baffles the weary seekers for the way of life.
Mrs. Eddy is positive and uncompromising in her statement of Christian Science, because she states what she knows to be demonstrable truth, and not a problematic theory. Mathematical science is accepted without question, because it is susceptible of proof by all mankind; and Christian Science is entitled to recognition upon the same basis, inasmuch as its entire teaching was demonstrated by Christ Jesus, who left his example for all Christians to imitate rather than to worship. The failure of Christendom to follow the Master in demonstration is responsible for the present demand for Christian Science. That some, not discerning its real nature, may regard its idealism as impractical, does not affect its innate simplicity and power, and the earnest student, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, finds that it becomes more practical and satisfying with each progressive step.
The student does not understand Christian Science, any more than he understands mathematics, except as he masters and applies its fundamental rules. It may be helpful to take as a basis of illustration the simple rule, accepted by all mankind, that one and one are two. This rule admits of no possible third figure in the case, and may be taken as illustrating the unchangeable integrity of divine Truth, wherein God and His manifestation or creation constitute the whole of reality. The supposition that one and one are three may be regarded as typifying human error, or the belief that life, intelligence, and power exist apart from God.
