THE Discoverer of Christian Science has said of its teaching, "It rests on fixed Principle and not upon the judgment of false sensation" (Science and Health, p.128). It will readily be seen, then, that Christian Science needs no defense. It may need explanation, so that people shall understand how to prove the Principle, and if, when occasion arises, they do test and prove it for themselves, they find the results which invariably follow in the shape of healing from sickness and the casting out or destruction of sin.
In the early days of natural science there were many crude and incorrect theories. Just in proportion as exact or scientific results have been secured, these theories have been discredited. As to religion, it has been somewhat different. The imperfect theories expressed as the theological guesses of a certain age have been reverenced as traditions in the succeeding ages. Consequently, in all denominations there are to be found theories which have no proofs to support them, but which are held sacred because inherited from the past. Believers in these theories spend their time defending them; in fact, this is the basis of denominationalism. Each denomination maintains some peculiar belief which is looked upon as a dogma to be defended, and the heroism of the defense leads to idolatry of the dogma. If the workers who developed transportation by electric power, or those who discovered the telephone or wireless telegraphy, had divided into denominations, each pledged to maintain some electrical theory of the past, we should have had confusion of argument rather than the practical results which we now command.
The message of Christian Science is, that men should apply to their religious life practical methods, such as they are applying in the business world. In mundane matters it is thought that results give evidence of the cause and justify it. Even so, the Christianization of men and women should be the justification of Christianity. When we look deeply into human affairs, we too often find the form rather than the substance of Christianity. The purpose of the Christian man is to have in him the same Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus."
