It is now generally agreed that all real progress in human welfare is marked, not so much by material discovery and invention, as by a better understanding of and a truer love for God and man. The possession of many of the present day material inventions, when unaccompanied by substantial growth Godward, may work against, rather than for, the world's true betterment. Christian Science presents a new revelation of infinite Love and of Love's tender relation to man; and this spiritual discovery by Mary Baker Eddy is doing efficient service toward universal and abiding righteousness, prosperity, and peace. It is, therefore, most important that all who have loyally taken their stand for this truth should, in their unselfish labors for humanity, apprehend and live their religion in full accord with its inspired teachings.
It is not only needful for those who would practice this divine Science rightly to have at the very outset a correct understanding of God, but, added to that, it is indispensable that they should possess the right concept of the divinely appointed messenger through whom infinite Truth is made manifest in this age. In Science and Health (p. 560) is the potent declaration that "the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man." The author adds, ''This goal is never reached while we hate our neighbor or entertain a false estimate of anyone whom God has appointed to voice His word."
This statement indicates that one progresses toward the goal of harmony only when he has love in his heart, and when he has a true sense of the one who voices God's word. Christ Jesus fully comprehended the importance of rightly estimating the one through whom Truth is revealed. He knew that his followers could do his works only as they gave to him his rightful place. He said of his relation to God, "I and my Father are one." He declared that access to divine Truth and Love was possible only through the Son. "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me," were his words. The disciples were so thoroughly convinced as to the primal importance of a right apprehension of their' Master that all their works were done in his name. He had said, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." So, as we read in the third chapter of Acts, when Peter and John healed the paralytic at the temple gate, they explained the cure to the onlookers thus: "His name through faith in his name hath made this man strong."
