What would be thought of a man who tried to build a railroad bridge over a river without any knowledge of the physical laws of engineering or the principle of mathematics? Or what would be thought of a man who undertook to conduct a symphony orchestra without any knowledge of music or the principle of harmony? If one considers the disaster and discord that would follow such bridgebuilding, such music production, one sees more clearly the reason for the discord and disaster that seem to attend material human experiences. Do not human beings attempt to live their lives with little if any knowledge of the divine Principle that is Life? Indeed, are not the majority of them unaware that there is such a Principle?
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has given to the world a clear and scientific explication of Principle as God, thus making God knowable and demonstrable. Principle, "fundamental substance or energy" (so defined by Webster), was demonstrated by Christ Jesus in his unparalleled dominion over the carnal mind or that false substance and energy called matter. He gave unwavering and unreserved obedience to divine Principle. He was the greatest metaphysician and, therefore, the most successful physician who ever lived. And he said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life"—the way for each and all to follow, the truth for each and all to know and obey, the life that all must acknowledge and experience. The nature of his works proves this Principle to be Love, as Mrs. Eddy so many times defines it. On page of 26 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she says, "Jesus' teaching and practice of Truth involved such a sacrifice as makes us admit its Principle to be Love."
The idea of Principle may present to some an abstraction which they think cold and too difficult to understand. But that the idea of Principle is readily grasped even by small children was evidenced in a Christian Science Sunday School class. The teacher of that class was very much interested in the fact that every time the synonyms for God, given on page 465 of the Christian Science textbook, were discussed, a small boy in the class chose the synonym "Principle" as his favorite. The teacher was interested to know why he always chose that particular synonym, and asked him if he knew what the word "Principle" meant. Unhesitatingly he said: "Sure. It is the rule to do things by." How simply the lad stated it! Love is "the rule to do things by"!
