THE usual thought regarding religion relates to the outward forms, avowals, or acts by means of which men indicate their belief in and reverence for or fear of a superhuman power or Being. Thus the form, essence, and influence of men's religious belief and worship are determined by the nature of the authority to which they bow. This extends even into national life, for it is evident that the wrong forms of government seen in certain nations are due to the false concepts of Deity there prevalent. A belief that God is an enlarged manlike being, changeable and expressing mortal impulses and passions, inevitably tends to emphasize and develop in those who accept that belief the impulsiveness, passion, and human will which they ascribe to Deity.
It is certain that Christ Jesus understood, taught, and exemplified the one right religion; that he had the correct concept of God; and that his life and works among men evidenced God and His law and power. Christ Jesus furnished irrefutable and complete demonstrations in healing sickness, annulling sin, and overcoming death in support of his declarations of spiritual truths. The precepts, parables, and proofs presented by the Master testify to the fact that God is omnipotent and omnipresent good; that the one Father or creator of all is impartial, universal, law-governing divine Love; that man, God's image or reflection, necessarily is conscious of and expresses the spiritual qualities which bespeak eternal Life, immutable Truth, perfect Principle, pure Love, and divine Mind.
Mary Baker Eddy was of a deeply religious nature; she studied the Bible assiduously and prayed earnestly for spiritual enlightenment that she might know God as Christ Jesus knew Him. Thus, she was divinely directed in her discovery, demonstration, and declaration of the Science of Christianity, the revealed religion by means of which God is glorified and men are blessed in the manner prescribed by the Master. The ever increasing number of healings of sin and sickness wrought by Christian Science verifies its basic teaching that God, Spirit, is omnipotent good, and that man is inseparable from the divine Father-Mother, Love. Truly this teaching complies with Jesus' commands: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils;" and, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
