Should there be in our midst today any one who doubts the appeal that Christian Science makes to business or professional men and women, or to mankind in general, he has but to visit a Sunday service or a Wednesday evening testimony meeting, held by any Christian Science church or society, to be convinced of this latter-day wonder in churchgoing, as many choose to term it; for there he will find a generous proportion of the large audiences to be those who are not merely attendants, but earnest participants in the worship. And since these services are brief and simple in character, devoid of any attempt to hold the attention other than by providing exercises of a devotional nature, the question arises, Wherein does the real attraction lie that draws and holds the interest of thoughtful men and women of all classes? Various reasons could be given for this, and also for the phenomenal growth of the Christian Science movement, as attested by the ever increasing number of its followers, chief among which must be the feature of healing, applicable not only to physical disabilities, but to all that comes within the category of human ills. Investigation will, indeed, prove that Christian Science not only affords surcease to the troubled thought, but is, as well, a restorative and redemptive agency.
Dealing with the aforesaid questions more specifically, it is but fair to concede that a more comprehensive idea of Deity is set forth by the teachings of Christian Science than sectarianism has yet attempted; and in this great undertaking Mary Baker Eddy, its Discoverer and Founder, has, among other things, given to the world a deific term which is at once unique and comprehensible, namely, divine Principle. Considering the term "Principle" metaphysically, we have here a vitally significant definition of God, an immensely wide sense of the spiritual universe, and moreover including all the ideas of divine Mind. True, the term at first may seem abstruse; but in its spiritually metaphysical interpretation a world of possibilities is unfolded to thought, which may be welcomed as the dawning of a great spiritual light, illuminating the Scriptures and revealing a scientific and universal remedy for all forms of ignorance, fear, disease, and sin.
The writer was healed of a serious and exceedingly painful physical disability many years ago, after all other methods had failed to bring relief or hope, by coming upon the term "divine Principle" during the casual perusal of an article on Christian Science. This new terminology seemed at first puzzling, and then curiously interesting, to the end that an analysis was made of the word "Principle." Obviously, divine Principle was the foundation upon which Science must rest, the source from which all things proceeded; also, that which is inseparable from its idea, determining its nature, its essential character and essence. All this was entirely comprehensible. But what of its adaptation to Christian metaphysics? logical questioning demanded. If the useful and indispensable truth about numbers, embracing all mathematical calculation, is contingent upon an undeviating law, upon what, in turn, does Christian metaphysics depend? Startling revelations of the possibility of demonstrating God's omnipresence and power began to unfold; and consciousness, for the moment, was swept free from doubt, fear, and pain. In their place a great peace dawned, a newborn confidence, as it were; and behold, there stepped forth a new individual, healed of what had seemed a hopeless physical infirmity, and strong in the determination to evermore work out the problem of salvation along this exalted line of reasoning.
And so, with this testimonial of one person's conversion of thought upon finding God to be divine Principle, resulting, as it did, in immediate physical and certain temperamental healings, let us briefly consider how this came about, and how this Christianly scientific reasoning may be reduced to a rule and thereby rendered universally demonstrable. Let us consider what might be the spiritually metaphysical aspect of the practice known as addition. We will agree that this term signifies increase or accession. Upon translating it into its higher meaning, we find that it can be applied to increase of understanding and the adding of blessings to human experience. It is also seen, by this method of reasoning, how honest and straightforward intentions will constantly improve business prospects; how purer ideals and affections will augment and strengthen friendships; and how supply and confidence will be added to every department of one's thought.
Turning to the Scriptures for a warrant for such metaphysical calculation, we might begin with Jesus' own use of the first-named term, in such an immortal promise as this: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." We might thus begin to comprehend how there may be constantly added to the human consciousness that by which it may be enlightened, instructed, and sustained; all of which will have a telling effect for good by way of improved so-called physical conditions.
Again, what a joy to find a rule of subtraction or elimination of error from thought's curriculum. Turning to the Scriptural rule for this we find such passages as: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world;" "For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins;" "And ye shall serve the Lord your God . . . and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee;" "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
Similarly, we find Jude exhorting the people to a constancy in their faith in God, or divine Principle, and referring to the multiplication of blessings in these words: "Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied." And many are the inspired passages to be found in the Bible, implying a division of truth and error, and setting forth the rule therefor, as instanced in Paul's epistle to the Hebrews, wherein he says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit;" and in Timothy's charge, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Verily, what spiritual treasures are available in such Christianly metaphysical calculations! We bow with a holier sense of reverence and worship to divine Principle, God, infinite Life, and Truth, and Love, not forgetting that these, and all the other Biblical terms for Him, must ever be regarded synonymously, since their intent is also "to express the nature, essence, and wholeness of Deity" (Science and Health, p. 465). In the contemplation of the prospect of such enlightening study of the Scriptures, new hope springs up in the human heart; and it is comforting to know that there are no incongruities, incurabilities, or impossibilities recognized by divine Principle; for Principle in no wise admits of such negative and destructive terms.
Such a venturing forth in the pursuit of the higher understanding of God may be likened to the student who passes from the primary and intermediate departments into the higher classrooms. The spiritually metaphysical research will require the Bible for constant reference; "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy will prove to be an indispensable aid; and divine Mind must be acknowledged as the master and teacher. Much loyalty and obedience to divine Principle will be demanded,—much humbleness and child likeness of thought, in gaining this higher instruction; but, happily, mere intellectual attainments are not a prerequisite. To substantiate this summary, our Leader's words, beginning on page 323 of Science and Health, will be found to be confirmative. There she says, "Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea."
Proceeding in our inspiring study, new interpretations of patience, sincerity, courage, and other virtues will unfold, until human thought gradually relinquishes its hold on the modes of material reckoning, and that will occur which our Leader sets forth in the following profound and prophetic utterance, found on page 209 of Science and Health: "Material substances or mundane formations, astronomical calculations, and all the paraphernalia of speculative theories, based on the hypothesis of material law or life and intelligence resident in matter, will ultimately vanish, swallowed up in the infinite calculus of Spirit."
