In the early days of Christianity it was customary for the disciples and followers of Jesus to go from place to place preaching, healing, and teaching. On one such occasion Paul, who had come to Athens, addressed his listeners in these words (Acts 17:22, 23): "I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." He then told them of the heavenly Father, who "dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands," and who "giveth to all life, and breath, and all things."
A right understanding of God and of how to impart this knowledge to others has always been a laudable Christian goal. Not, however, until Mary Baker Eddy's discovery of Christian Science was the divine healing power made sufficiently understandable to men to be proved a demonstrable Science. This age is immeasurably indebted to Mrs. Eddy for her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," for from it all may gain, through careful study, a thorough, correct knowledge of God and of the healing power of the Christ.
One of the most vital passages for study is naturally Mrs. Eddy's definition of God. On page 465 of Science and Health, Deity is defined in the following terms: "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love." The synonyms given for God immediately vitalize and make practical our concept of God, for they bring to thought so many allied terms which already have definite and concrete meaning for us. For example, we associate with Principle law, government, and order; intelligence characterizes Mind; immortal substance represents Soul. Spirit unfolds to us purity, freedom from materiality and the ills of the flesh. From Life we derive activity and eternality; while Truth is the rock, unchangeable and indestructible, and Love is the source of all giving, all forgiving, and of all-encompassing tenderness.
