If there is one thing for which Christian Scientists are more thankful than for any other, it is that the teachings of Christ Jesus have been so illuminated for them and have become so practical that they are never for a moment lost sight of. This spiritual illumination is linked so closely to the healing work in Christian Science that the student turns instinctively to the words of the Master as recorded in the gospels, whatever be his problem. To Christian Scientists the teachings of Christ Jesus may indeed be said to be the final court of appeal. Throughout her very extensive writings Mrs. Eddy insists that her followers shall constantly study and apply his teachings, and in her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 (p. 4) she says, "I again repeat, Follow your Leader, only so far as she follows Christ."
In view of this statement and many like it, it is a matter of surprise to find anyone attempting to undermine Mrs. Eddy's work by stating in the name of so-called spiritualism that she substituted her own views for the teachings of Christ Jesus, and furthermore that she told a medium to give out to the world her regrets for having done so. That Mrs. Eddy's teachings are in accord with those of Christ Jesus is proved by the fact that they have reestablished his healing ministry in the present age on the basis of divine Principle. Unnumbered thousands of sufferers have been healed through the study of her writings or through their application by some Christian Science practitioner, and above all else the testimony of those who have overcome sin in all its phases through her teachings, is their justification. The Master's own test is most surely applicable to all that she has taught and written, "By their fruits ye shall know them."
At this point it may be well to say that while Christian Scientists admit the right of others to seek Truth along the lines which they prefer, they insist upon freedom from mental intrusion for themselves in pursuing the path marked out by Christ Jesus and made plain to them through the healing ministry of Christian Science. Here it may be said that from the Christian Science viewpoint the mere death of the body does not make one any more spiritual than he was before, so that even if communication were possible between those who have passed on and those who have not, it would necessarily be on the basis of a kindred belief in fleshly existence, of which Paul says in the eighth chapter of Romans, "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
