Mary Baker Eddy chose as the emblem for all her writings the cross and crown encircled by Christ Jesus' mandate to his disciples as he sent them forth, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons" (Matt. 10:8, American Standard Version) . Mrs. Eddy recognized the need for all Christians to understand the true, spiritual meaning of cross and crown and their practical import to all ages, and she has made it plain in her writings.
Jesus' resurrection and ascension opened a new era for the world, an era in which the true significance of the cross was realized. And Christian Scientists are taking up that cross—the overcoming of all the phases of suppositional evil. They are taking it up with a fuller understanding of it, adhering to Jesus' words (Mark 16:17, 18,) "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
As we press forward in the pathway from sense to Soul, from the material sense, or belief of life and intelligence in matter, up to the spiritual understanding of Soul and of man's spiritual identity, or selfhood, as an idea of God, Mind, we are taking up the cross and following the path the Master trod, the path Mrs. Eddy has revealed in her writings as leading to ever greater heights of spirituality.
