Christian Science, when rightly applied, fulfills its promise to solve every human problem. Rules for its correct application are to be found in the Bible and in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy and in her other writings. Whether the problem be one of health, of supply, or of relationship, these laws, when obeyed, restore harmony where a sense of discord has seemed to prevail.
The belief in minds many gives rise to conflict and unhappiness in human intercourse. While emerging from a material sense of existence to a realization of the spiritual facts of being, a Christian Scientist sometimes finds himself the object of what may appear to him misjudgment, resentment, or even persecution. When confronted by such a problem, the alert and loving student of Christian Science will not return evil for evil even in his thought. The example of Jesus, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again," and the life of Mrs. Eddy, who met opposition with fearlessness, enmity with love, and injustice with forgiveness, will comfort and inspire him. Here are the ideals for human conduct when one is faced with what the world calls cruelty and hatred. But if the student is to attain a scientific attitude that will in any degree approach these, he must make his own active, affirmative effort to gain more of the Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," that no resentment be left in his consciousness, and that misunderstanding be healed.
A Christian Scientist is taught to see man as God sees him, perfect and unfallen. As he endeavors to do this he may discover, somewhat to his surprise, that it is not only his false concept of someone else that needs to be corrected, but also his own false concept of himself. In Romans is this arresting statement: "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." Error is impersonal, without identity, intelligence, power, or being. Christian Science maintains that all material beliefs are accusations against the perfection of God and man. Who, then, condemns himself of error? Surely it must be he who agrees to error's assertion of its own reality. If one believes in the validity of an offense, is he not doing this very thing? Evil's only power over one comes through the admission of it as true. If one is recognizing a trespass and a trespasser as real, he is condemning himself by acquiescing in the fallacious belief that man is material and therefore capable of expressing discordant characteristics. Thus is he doing "the same things," thinking the same thoughts for which he has been judging another. Obviously one who feels himself offended is not realizing his inheritance as Love's child.
