It is not generally understood, even by many adherents of the Christian religion, that it was the purpose of Jesus' mission to provide a remedy for all evil, for the evil of disease and suffering as well as the evil of sin. Few to-day believe that it is God's will for any man to be in bondage to sin; but there are many who think that sickness, and even death, are often the manifestation of the divine will. Christian Science is correcting this error of belief by giving to the world a truer sense of the divine nature and a clearer realization of how great was the work which Jesus accomplished for the salvation of all mankind. The belief that salvation was limited to those who were foreordained to be saved has given place to the more rational view that a full salvation is provided for all men; likewise, the belief that the Saviour came into the world to save men from sin only is giving place to the understanding that "the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." Thus it is becoming understood that sickness and all discordant conditions of human experience, as well as sin, are the works of the devil, evil, which the Christ destroys. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (pp. 142, 143) we read: "Truth is God's remedy for error of every kind, and Truth destroys only what is untrue. Hence the fact that, to-day, as yesterday, Christ casts out evils and heals the sick."
Perhaps there was never a time in the history of the world when humanity has felt more keenly the great need of a remedy for the many ills which beset mortal existence than it does now. The hopeless invalid, the weary toiler, and the awakening sinner are crying out in their anguish, "What must I do to be saved?" Christian Science is able to meet the need of those who labor and are heavy-laden; and in the language of Scripture it says to all earth's weary pilgrims, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Believe and be saved! How simple the statement! And yet, who can measure the length and breadth and height and depth of its meaning? Herein is revealed not merely a possibility or even a probability; the statement is positive that a specific result will follow. The believer will be saved.
This sweet promise comes at first as a ray of light dispelling the darkness of false belief. It inspires hope and quickens honest endeavor. It is the dawning of a new day, wherein all things are to be made new. In the awakened consciousness numerous questions arise, demanding satisfying and scientific answers. Most important among them are: What does it mean to be saved? From how much can a man reasonably hope to be saved? When may he expect to be saved? Can he know salvation as a present reality, or is it only something to be looked forward to with joyous anticipation? What is it to believe? Can any one know that he believes? If so, how can he know? What is the proof that he knows? The way in which these questions are answered, if they be answered at all, shows whether the teachings of the Bible are understood to have for men any practical application to the affairs of to-day, or whether it is believed that the inspired teachings relate merely to the doing of those things which must be done now, if one would be saved at some future time.
