Severe attacks such as those to which Christian Science has been subjected of late, have again shown its followers that the most erroneous opinions concerning this teaching are prevalent; but Christian Scientists could not well be affected by these attacks, directed as they are against concepts which have nothing in common with Christian Science. If this religion were what its critics suppose it to be, it would not have so large a following, neither would the movement show such a steady growth; for people who are wretched and discontented, who have failed to find that, which would bring them health and happiness, are flocking to Christian Science, and they would hardly adhere to it if they found it to be nothing but deception.
The fact is, that so much cheerfulness and contentment are not to be found among any other class of people, and nowhere are so few complaints to be heard as among Christian Scientists. Most people complain far more than they realize, and the difference is very noticeable to an outsider who comes in contact with Scientists. On one hand there are long tales of sickness, disharmony, unhappiness; on the other, joy and gratitude. One may repeatedly hear from the latter such expressions as this: "I am very much better, and I know that things will continue to improve as I learn to think aright." Shall this be ascribed to a deluded sense?
Christian Science has been refused recognition along practically every line, and it has been stubbornly maintained that it is neither Christian nor scientific; yet it is based entirely on the teachings of Jesus. He taught that we must change our thought. "The kingdom of God is within you," he said, and he declared this kingdom to be a state of consciousness. He also said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." If God's kingdom is a state of consciousness, then the above saying is equivalent to, Seek first the consciousness of God, acquire the righteous thinking which is of God. He also said that we should be perfect, even as our heavenly Father is perfect. He therefore held that it is possible for us to learn to think absolutely right,—to think perfect thoughts; that it is possible for us to reflect the perfect or divine Mind. "The truth shall make you free," he said, and the mental activity of the perfect Mind alone constitutes truth; hence perfect thoughts alone can make us free.
