MRS. EDDY was the most cogent writer of all time; her statements invariably arrest the attention of her readers. Above all others, she was able to present a compelling truth in fewest words : as an epigrammatist, she has no equal. On page 412 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" we find a characteristic statement which is nothing less than startling in its import. "The power of Christian Science and divine Love is omnipotent," she declares. Manifestly, omnipotent power, the All-power, can have no opposition—no antagonist, no contender; and this alone power—divine Love— is available through Christian Science. How important are her words!
As workers in Christian Science, we are confronted with many claims to power which in their potency and threatening aspects are, to material sense, little less than terrifying. But our Leader, finding in the Love which is divine, power which transcends all the seeming power of mortal belief, assures us that through our understanding of divine Science we may utilize this Omnipotence in destroying all contrary claims which present themselves. The questions confronting us, then, are: What use are we making of Omnipotence? Are we utilizing our understanding of the divine All-power to destroy the claims of evil? The answers to these questions in some degree determine our spiritual status and our alertness to our duty as Christian metaphysicians. All will agree that an important phase of our obligation as Christian Scientists is, both for ourselves and for those who seek our aid, to correct and destroy the false beliefs with which we are confronted. But does this, however well accomplished, fulfill our obligation? Are we thus doing our whole duty as disciples of the Master and meeting the expectations of our beloved Leader?
There are constantly occurring in the world manifestations of forces which work evil, sometimes in the form of so-called material forces, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, devastating fires, and divers other forms of disaster which may be attributed to objectified material belief; sometimes operating through the channels of human consciousness, when mortals band themselves together for the promotion of selfish gains and what they believe to be their common welfare. Is it not clear that Christian Scientists have a definite duty to perform in respect of both situations? Paul was clear as to the character of the seeming forces with which we struggle—"rulers of the darkness of this world." Should we not undertake to demonstrate the presence and availability of Omnipotence to meet the malevolent claims calling themselves general disaster, as readily as to heal the individual cases of discord which present themselves to us as practitioners for relief? Moreover, not infrequently these disasters are foretold. Physical scientists, physicists and astronomers, may and do assume to foretell the approach of a cataclysm of a given order. Christian Scientists, awake to their responsibility, immediately apply their understanding of Omnipotence; and through that understanding the claims of evil are met and destroyed—claims which seem to human sense to manifest irresistible force.
