IN no way, perhaps, were the wisdom and tenderness of Christ Jesus more apparent than in his methods as a teacher. Gently, by precept and proof, by parable and example, he revealed to his disciples the truth about God and man. A less wise teacher might have exceeded their capacity, thus causing confusion and discouragement, whereas his instruction always took into account their capacity for receiving and learning. In his last talk with them before his betrayal and crucifixion, he again explained his doctrine, and further said: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." Thus he referred to this complete and final revelation as the Comforter which was to bring to remembrance whatsoever he had said.
All revelation of Truth comes from the operation of divine Principle. For centuries before the star of Bethlehem and the hosannas of angels proclaimed his advent, the Messiah with his message of good will and peace had been promised and expected. Though the Christ, Truth, is ever present, it was not until the children of Israel had advanced sufficiently to perceive in a measure this spiritual vision of their prophets that the Messiah could appear. Not the world's lack of intellectual fitness, but its lack of spiritual receptivity, caused Jesus to refrain from giving to his hearers more of the precious truth which he came to teach. He lived at a time when many schools of philosophy flourished; but because these taught of the so-called human mind they had no point of contact with his teachings, which revealed God and the spiritual universe as the only reality.
Gleaming through the fogs of materialism during the subsequent centuries, Jesus' crowning victory of the resurrection and the ascension has brought comfort, encouragement, and hope to struggling humanity. His example in healing every manner of error, in overcoming death and all limitation, pointed to a complete revelation of Truth which would enable mankind more fully to follow his example. Human reason and philosophy could not explain his deeds. Like his teachings, these deeds had to be spiritually interpreted. This inspired interpretation came in God's time and way as the result of the operation of divine Principle, infinite Love; and Mary Baker Eddy called her discovery Christian Science.
So it was that in the nineteenth century Christian Science came to the world, giving a scientific and demonstrable elucidation of the truths taught and practiced by the great Way-shower. As the promised Comforter Christian Science came bringing to sick, sinning, weary, unhappy humanity health, goodness, joy, peace, prosperity. It leads the way out of material belief into the understanding of God as the only Life, to whom there is not even a supposition of sin, disease, and death.
Because Mrs. Eddy's writings point the way out of all evil and into eternal life, showing how step by step to demonstrate the perfection of spiritual man as the expression of divine Mind, these teachings are the final revelation of Truth. Referring to her discovery of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy writes in her principal work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p.107), "God had been graciously preparing me during many years for the reception of this final revelation of the absolute divine Principle of scientific mental healing." And she also says (Miscellaneous Writings, p.99), "Science is absolute and final." When Christian Science is universally understood and demonstrated, sin, sickness, and death will be unknown, and the time prophesied by Jeremiah will have arrived: "After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord."
The human mind, so called, is oftentimes lazy and lethargic, lacking the diligence to apply and demonstrate the revealed truth. In the sixth chapter of his Gospel, John states that when Jesus revealed to his followers the magnitude of his mission, with its attendant sacrifices, many fell away and walked no more with him. After making it clear that in order to experience eternal life, which he came to proclaim, it would be necessary for them to follow his example by eating of his bread and drinking of his cup, the Master asked the twelve disciples if they also would depart. In reply to this query Peter exclaimed, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." How blessed was Peter to have arrived at this understanding! He realized that the path of Jesus' followers was to be rugged, steep, strewn with difficulties; but he knew that it was the one true way, leading out of earth's seeming trials and sorrows into eternal life.
And so to-day some, thinking the exactions of Christian Science too great, seek to find short cuts, and prate of later or more advanced teachings. What the world needs is not further revelation, but consecrated application of the truth already revealed. Mrs. Eddy makes this clear on page 174 of Science and Health, where she says: "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised." To excuse its laziness, the human so-called mind would demand more and more revelation, when it has not yet proved the truth already revealed. Proof, work, practice, righteous living are what the world needs. Who, even among students of Christian Science, has as yet proved more than an infinitesimal part of the truth revealed in Christian Science? Who has completely proved in his living, thinking, hoping, desiring, and working that Love is the only Life? Who has entirely proved in his own experience the perfection of man as the spiritual child of God? Not one, though thousands upon thousands are approaching an understanding of man's real nature as the beloved child of God, divine Love, and are daily proving by many overcomings that good alone is reality.
Progress in Christian Science means growth in spiritual understanding, in grace, in overcoming evil with good, in demonstrating the truth of being; that is to say, growth in following the path set forth by Mrs. Eddy, who was ever intent upon tracing the footsteps of the great Way-shower, Christ Jesus. Because Mrs. Eddy discovered Christian Science and in a marked degree proved the truths revealed to her, she is, through her written works and example, the perpetual Leader of the Christian Science movement. Her methods as a teacher were similar to those of Jesus, for she presented infinite Truth in a way adapted to human apprehension, while at the same time practicing and proving her statements. Sage and child alike can understand and prove the beauty and truth of her teachings. To many a weary, heart-hungry searcher these teachings have brought "the Spirit of truth," which, as Jesus foretold, is leading them "into all truth."
The complete revelation of Christian Science is set forth by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health. Thus she followed the example of the Master, who said, "I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing." Instruction in both the Normal classes, and the Primary classes, as provided for in her Manual of The Mother Church, is from Science and Health, a book available to all. The last edition of this book, together with the Bible, is invariably used in these classes and at the church services.
To acknowledge Christian Science as the promised Comforter, and as comprising the final revelation of Truth, is as essential for the seekers of Truth in this age as it was necessary for the followers of Jesus to recognize him as the promised Messiah. This step honestly taken speeds the demonstration of the teachings of Christian Science. The appearing of the truth in this age is proof positive that the world is better than before, for revelation can come only as it can be perceived. More diligent application of the truth as now revealed is the need of the age. More love, more faith, more courage, more patience, more tolerance, more appreciation, more consecration, more understanding—this is the chief need of the day.
To each individual, as to the age, the light of Truth comes through the operation of divine Principle, infinite Mind. The knowledge of this fact should bring us patience and confidence, for, clearly, and in the only way possible, mankind is being led by divine Love out of the mists of materiality into the understanding of eternal Life. By teaching, example, practice, and proof Mrs. Eddy led the onward march, and her writings are pointing an ever increasing number to the way out of belief in sin, disease, and death into unending joy, health, harmony, and peace. Christian Science teaches that the spiritual universe, including spiritual man, is ever at the point of perfection; and from this standpoint of spiritual perfection it overcomes the false claims of heredity, vicious environment, and so-called material law, the curse on Adam's progeny, which has seemingly enslaved mankind throughout the centuries.
This final revelation of Truth in Christian Science is not a mere doctrine, not philosophy or a cold statement of facts: it is the reign of divine Love brought to light. It shows the fullness of divine Love wiping away earth's tears and destroying its pains and sorrows. Here and now, in the elimination of all that is discordant, destructible, useless, and grievous, it begins to prove man's immortality by bringing to light the joy, harmony, activity, peace, health, continuity, and beauty of real, spiritual being. Christian Science, loved and lived, fills the heart with tenderness, loving-kindness, understanding, tolerance, and an abiding confidence in good. It not only interprets the letter of Christ Jesus' teachings, but also reveals the beauty and perfection of his spiritual nature as the expression of divine Love, the nature which enabled him to meet all of earth's trials with patience and love. It proves spiritual man's oneness with God, Mind, Life, Love.
All real wisdom, all sound morality, all that is good in private thought and conduct, or in public action and statesmanship, consists in an accurate perception of God's will as revealed in the fact of things, and in zealous cooperation therewith and with nothing else.—
Copyright,1930, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3,1917, authorized on July 11,1918.
