THROUGHOUT the centuries in which the Bible has been so miraculously preserved for mankind, it has been generally acknowledged that the purpose of the holy Book is to prove the power of righteousness. It was not, however, until Mrs. Eddy, after years of consecrated study of its inspired pages, discovered God to be the divine Principle of righteousness that the Bible became of the highest demonstrable value to humanity.
In a single sentence in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 465, 466), Mrs. Eddy has given a statement of absolute Truth: "Principle and its idea is one, and this one is God, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Being, and His reflection is man and the universe." Christ Jesus expressed the necessity for the application of the understanding of this Principle when he said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Studying the Scriptures in the light of Christian Science, we find that the miracles recorded in them were always the result of some comprehension of divine Principle, and indicated progressive steps in spiritual growth leading up to the demonstration of the letter of absolute Science, given to mankind in the Christian Science textbook.
We find the idea of divine sonship, the perfect image, early appearing in the consciousness of Abraham, when God spoke to him, saying, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." In simple acts of kindness, in loving his neighbor as himself, Abraham demonstrated his understanding of this statement. In searching for a city "whose builder and maker is God," "not knowing whither he went," he was eliminating self-will and gaining divine guidance. In his obedient willingness to offer up Isaac, the child of promise, he proved that he was understanding that the spiritual idea, man, is not in matter; for when he sacrificed personal sense, his son was restored to him unharmed.
