Generally speaking, there are two bases of endeavor, the spiritual and the material, and the right choice of these determines true happiness, health, and harmony. Looking down the vistas of material existence, one sees sin, disease, and misery confronting mortals at every turn. Is there a solution to this problem of evil? Christian Science teaches that evil in all its varied forms can be vanquished because it is contrary to God and His law. Therefore, only the knowledge of God and His perfect creation will enable mankind to erase these conditions from consciousness and so from their experience. Mary Baker Eddy writes in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 390), "It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony."
So Christian Science affirms that there are no erroneous conditions which are beyond the power of God to heal and points to Jesus' life to prove it. He healed all manner of sickness, raised the dead, fed the multitudes, walked on the water, performing what the world called miracles. How did he do it? He gave the explanation in the words, "I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30), and, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works" (John 14: 10). Plainly, it was his scientific understanding of God, good, and of man made in His image and likeness, inseparable from the Father, that enabled him to accomplish his wonderful works. It was this truth which he demonstrated and made clear to his followers, so that all who spiritually understood the truth could apply it to make evident the perfect status of man, free from the vagaries of mortal mind beliefs.
Yet mankind has continued to wander in the mazes of a materiality which has engendered all kinds of ignorant and false beliefs, confused thinking, and a perverted sense of existence. Supposing itself at the mercy of material sense, the world has involved itself in the nightmare of mortality. Sooner or later there must come the parting of the ways, and Christian Science clearly indicates the right course to take. Let us heed our Leader's words (Science and Health, p. 227): "Christian Science raises the standard of liberty and cries: 'Follow me! Escape from the bondage of sickness, sin, and death!' Jesus marked out the way. Citizens of the world, accept the 'glorious liberty of the children of God,' and be free! This is your divine right. The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs, crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being."
