A WELL-KNOWN psychologist, when discussing the possibility of anything in the nature of a spiritual experience having at any time reached human consciousness, has given it as a test, that an experience to be spiritual must bring some new knowledge, something quite different and apart from the expectation and imaginings of the human mind. The history of revelation as recorded in the Bible, where spiritual truth is Seen gradually dawning on the consciousness of men, stands the test of the modern psychologist. Every revelation of God's nature, purpose, and power therein contained was so new, so unexpected, so startlingly unlike the experience of mortals, that the first effect was usually to produce fear; and the heavenly message invariably met with incredulity and resistance on the part of all not specially prepared to receive it.
In this age of the fullness of revelation, when divine Science has come to abide with men, so that, in the words of a well-known hymn, all may "touch and handle things unseen," one very clear reason why Christian Scientists do not advance more rapidly in the understanding and demonstration of this Science is the very fact that its teaching is so new, so different from human experience, that its practice, its methods of dealing with circumstances in all the varied relations of human life, are so unlike the ways of mortals.
Christian Science is more than reformatory; it is nothing less than revolutionary. Even seemingly good human ways must give place to God's truly spiritual way, which often appears less good to human belief; but merely good human ways will never save the world. It is only by abandoning human means and methods and embarking on the great adventure of following spiritual guidance fearlessly that salvation can be gained.
