As the highest bringer of good tidings, the teacher and demonstrator of eternal Truth, Christ Jesus established practical Christianity on the changeless Principle, which he named God, the Father. What he knew about God revealed to him that divine aid is sufficient to supply every need of men.
From the cross Jesus showed practical regard for his mother's need of a home. To one mentally deranged he restored soundness, and to the ostracized lepers cleanness. He met the specific needs of those lacking health, sight, speech, or bodily activity. To the disciples in peril on the lake his understanding brought safe landing. To sinners it brought moral regeneration. To Lazarus it restored life.
According to historical records, his immediate disciples, and also their followers for several hundred years, were exponents of practical Christianity. After that, the true sense of Deity becoming obscured by man-made creeds and dogmas, the way of practical Christianity traced by the Master was overgrown. But the acute need for practical Christianity remains. Shall the searchlight of intelligent investigation be turned only on ocean depths, the stratosphere, the stars, and leave unexplored the realm of Spirit, though Spirit alone can put an end to inhuman warfare, and lift mankind above the degradations and limitations of materialism? In external ways much progress is recorded; but what of essential progress? In spite of material research men are still victimized by sin, disease, poverty, sorrow, dissension. How shall one steer his way unscathed through the maze and hazards of human experience? How shall one establish health, harmony, sufficiency, on a sound and impartial basis? Christian Science replies, Through understanding and utilizing the unchallengeable and wholly beneficent power of God, as did Jesus and his early followers.
