The term practical idealism may sound to some like a paradox, but that it cannot be, for Christ Jesus, the truest idealist the world has ever known, was of all men most practical and successful. He did not compromise with materialism, nor lower his standard of thought and teaching for the sake of currying favor with men. In fact, "many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him," because his teaching that life is spiritual, not material, seemed "an hard saying" and too idealistic for them. But in proof of his statement that "it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing," our Master healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, brought release and redemption to the sinbound, and reversed the claim of death.
Through Mrs. Eddy's discovery of Christian Science, followed by her demonstration of its teachings in healing works and by her declaration of this Science in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the practical idealism of Christ Jesus is made available to mankind in this age and all ages to come. The fact that the ideals and practice of primitive Christianity are presented today in Christian Science is attested by a host of grateful people the world over, who stand as living witnesses to the efficacy of this Christian idealism. Accepting Christ Jesus' test of discipleship, "By their fruits ye shall know them," Christian Science in support of its doctrine points to its present accomplishments—all manner of disease healed, sinners reformed, atheistic beliefs corrected, lack and limitation overcome in proof of divine Love's affluence, discouragement and doubt displaced by gratitude to and confidence in God, based upon spiritual understanding.
The idealistic teachings of Christian Science, being identical with those of Christ Jesus, are the very highest conceivable. Briefly stated, their basic propositions are that God, the Father-Mother of man and of all that is real, is infinite, perfect Mind, Spirit, Truth, Life, and Love; that man, the image and likeness, or reflection, of God, is spiritual, immortal, harmonious, free, and perfect, expressing the qualities, faculties, and ability of his Maker. From the premise of perfect God and perfect man Christian Science deduces the logical conclusion that materiality, with its sin and sorrow, disease, discord, and death, does not embrace or express reality; it is but a false sense of things which can be corrected by means of applied spiritual understanding. Here is idealism which transcends mere human perception.
