Christian Science teaches the Science and practice of Christianity, the religion which was taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus. When the Master sent out those disciples whom he had instructed, he said to them, as Matthew records: "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils." He did all these deeds himself; he had striven to impart his knowledge of God and God's law to them; and, in consequence, his command to those who had caught something of the Christ-idea was clear and emphatic. It lacked nothing in directness; it left no room for Pharisaical quibbling as to its meaning; it has resounded down through all the centuries since it was uttered; and to-day it is being fulfilled in Christian Science as it has never been before, because Christian Science has made its fulfillment scientifically possible.
Any one reading the gospels of the New Testament must be aware that Christ Jesus delivered his message to the people. He did not address himself especially to the ecclesiastical dignitaries of his time and nation. Indeed, it is historically true that these rejected his revelation of God; and to put an end, as they thought, to his doctrine, they demanded his crucifixion from the Roman authority. Jesus' message was for all the men and women and children in the world. How it would reach them was largely a question for those who accepted his doctrine. But without doubt he declared the fatherhood of God, not to particular sects, not to particular men, but to the whole of mankind. And underlying all his teachings, these teachings upon which depended the healing of sickness and sin, were two main factors: one, the understanding of God; the other, the Christ-spirit, which animated himself. Mrs. Eddy, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p.141), analyzing the position, says: "In healing the sick and sinning, Jesus elaborated the fact that the healing effect followed the understanding of the divine Principle and of the Christ spirit which governed the corporeal Jesus. For this Principle there is no dynasty, no ecclesiastical monopoly. Its only crowned head is immortal sovereignty. Its only priest is the spiritualized man."
Every one who takes up the study of Christian Science recognizes the need of gaining an understanding of God. No longer does blind faith satisfy. And whenever one begins to grasp the truths of spiritual being, he has left the uncertain path of credulous faith for the firm and certain way of spiritual understanding; speculation has given place to revelation; and in proportion to his understanding he is able to demonstrate or prove what he has learned, by healing sickness and sin. Spiritual understanding—that is, knowledge of spiritual reality—is the great essential of the Christian life; and it forms the basis of the cultivation and growth of the Christ-spirit. Indeed, spiritual understanding and the Christ-spirit cannot be disjoined. They are inseparable.
