ALTHOUGH, speaking generally, a much truer appreciation of Christian Science now obtains than formerly, there is still much need of enlightenment regarding it. This is perhaps not to be wondered at when one remembers that it is only a little over sixty years since Mrs. Eddy discovered Christian Science, and that the world—the civilized world— contains many hundreds of millions of people. The position probably is that to-day, because of the many well-authenticated healings of all manner of disease,—so-called organic and functional, and so-called incurable,—which have taken place throughout the world by means of Christian Science, people are not so skeptical of it as they once were;but that while the skepticism has abated, there yet remains in not a few quarters almost complete ignorance of what really constitutes Christian Science.
Ignorance is closely allied to fear; and ignorance of Christian Science in former years was without doubt largely responsible for the fear entertained by many with regard to it—fear which sometimes showed itself in open opposition. But it is a tendency of the so-called human mind to get used to things, even to what it may once have violently opposed; and it is remarkable how opposition to Christian Science has given place, if not to confidence in it, at any rate to the thought that since it has done so much for humanity it is not to be regarded as an enemy, but rather as a possible friend. It is difficult to remain skeptical, as many can testify, when someone we know is lifted out of the mire of sin and placed on the highway of righteous living through the ministrations of Christian Science. It is difficult to remain opposed to Christian Science when a friend or an acquaintance whom we esteem is healed of some dread disease, and is able once more to take up the duties of life rejoicing in freedom.
But while the attitude of mankind generally has changed,—has been forced to change,—there remains an ignorance of Christian Science it were well for mankind should be removed. It is not sufficient that the skeptical attitude should have so largely disappeared; it is all for the benefit of mankind that it should be informed about Christian Science, that it should know what constitutes Christian Science, that it should be assured through understanding that its claims cannot be disregarded without loss to mankind itself. Christian Science is far too widespread in its influence for good to-day for anyone to allow himself to remain uninformed or misinformed concerning it. But here an important point comes in: every investigator should be prepared to approach the subject without bias. To obtain the clearest possible vision of Truth and to follow the leading of that vision should be the aim of all; and whosoever is courageous enough to investigate Christian Science in this spirit is certain to be rewarded, probably in a measure far beyond what he had ever hoped for.
