An evangelist recently said that the first Christians lived in times as difficult as our own. He added that they did not say, "See what the world is coming to," but rather, "See what has come to the world!" The mighty message brought to the people of the first Christian century by Christ Jesus appealed to his followers as a thrilling and universal answer to all the world's troubles. Discussing Christianity, Mary Baker Eddy writes (Christian Science versus Pantheism, p. 12), "The altitude of Christianity openeth, high above the so-called laws of matter, a door that no man can shut; it showeth to all peoples the way of escape from sin, disease, and death; it lifteth the burden of sharp experience from off the heart of humanity, and so lighteth the path that he who entereth it may run and not weary, and walk, not wait by the roadside,—yea, pass gently on without the alterative agonies whereby the way-seeker gains and points the path."
The enthusiasm of the early Christian workers was confidence in action—confidence that the message of Christ was capable of healing faults, overcoming ills of the flesh, and pointing the way for all to find perfection. While there has been no lessening of the potency of that message, there has been a lessening of understanding and application of its truths. Today it might be said that the world wants the fruits of Christianity—peace, prosperity, love, fulfillment, and so forth—without cultivating the tree on which these fruits are grown. Christianity demands action in accordance with its teachings. Without that action, without the doing of the works which Jesus did, the tree of Christianity is fruitless.
Mrs. Eddy discovered the Science of Christianity, Christian Science, and gave to mankind the opportunity to use what she had discovered. It is by this use of divine Science that mankind reaps blessings. This is the reason for the existence and utility of the Church of Christ, Scientist, to help men to exemplify the truth in their lives and gain the reward of Christianity—redemption from the mortal sense of life. God is omnipotent good, ever-present, omniscient Mind, Love, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, and Truth. Man is the complete manifestation of God, and his unity with God is expressed in active power, present good, and intelligent living. These divine truths must be demonstrated in human affairs. There is no substitute for this work or for the means provided within the broad channels of the human institution of church, designed to guide and support mankind.
