"REASON AND REVELATION"

The unreality of matter is an accepted fact in Christian Science. Mary Baker Eddy discloses how this fact may be individually proved when she writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 347), "The dream that matter and error are something must yield to reason and revelation." Reference to the dream nature of matter and error starts the wheels of reason turning toward the revelation that a material man and a material universe constitute a false sense of creation, a human concept entirely unknown to the divine Mind. Here let us consider the following verse of a beloved hymn (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 85),

Many students of Christian Science have proved that the unhappy conditions of human experience are as much without foundation or existence as the assertions that two times two equals five or that the earth is flat. These students, in the language of the Bible, are learning to "walk as children of light" (Eph. 5:8). They are accepting and applying through correct reasoning the practical teaching of Christian Science concerning God's allness, goodness, power, and presence. The Christian Scientist knows that when he declares the allness and goodness of God's love, he begins to express this love in his thoughts, words, and deeds. When he declares that there is only one Mind, he begins to live this truth with such conviction and assurance that error flees from him. When he declares that there is one Spirit, he begins to see himself and all creation as spiritually evidencing the perfection and harmonious activity of the only creator, God. As he walks in the light of Christian Science, he proves "what is acceptable unto the Lord" (Eph. 5: 10).

The writer was once in severe pain. She felt even more distressed because the only passage she could recall was the Biblical verse (Matt. 10:26), "Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known," and she had always associated that verse with the uncovering and punishment of evil. But when she turned her thought humbly to God for light, she found divine Truth ready to rescue misguided reason. The precious revelation unfolded that actually the truth of any situation is all that can be revealed.

With relief and renewed joy the writer accepted the refreshing revelation of man's oneness, or unity, with God and God's constant, loving care for all His creation. The experience proved that man's harmony cannot be hidden, but can be made manifest in the light which the teachings of Christian Science throw on the Scriptures. Healing resulted and has been permanent.

Should a problem arise that is not quickly solved, one may find that false suggestions have clouded thought. The clouds are dispersed by the recognition of man's spiritual nature. Turning to reason and revelation for direction, human consciousness rejoices in the teaching of Christian Science that actually man is spiritual now and forever. Reason points out that this truth is just as much an eternal certainty as any mathematical formula is an immediate, provable fact, regardless of how much time and energy may be expended in proving it. Revelation discloses that because man reflects divine Mind, no false suggestions can gain an audience; because man reflects the beauty of holiness, nothing unlovely or unhealthy can find embodiment or expression. Abundance, immortality, and bliss are revealed to humanity in proportion to the acceptance and understanding of God's allness and error's nothingness.

A Christian Scientist earnestly strives to master inclinations toward selfishness, sensitiveness, and the many educated beliefs of mortality, and he endeavors to replace false beliefs of individuality with the understanding of man's spiritual nature. Reason and revelation accompanied by childlike receptivity clear the mental horizon so that one becomes aware of the greatness, the gentleness, and the purpose of divine Science. He awakens to see that God glorifies man and that there is no sense of vanity, self-glorification, or self-condemnation in this reflected glory which evidences the exchanging of false concepts for divine consciousness. The recognition that God governs all subdues fleshly cravings.

In Ephesians we read (5:13), "All things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." The brighter this light or revelation, the greater is the evidence of man's purity, joy, peace, and prosperity. Just as the sunrise reveals the beauty and form of the landscape, so in the light of Christian Science the shadows of lack, discord, sickness, and death are no longer accepted as real. We reason that a shadow can be instantly changed by light, a dream can be disposed of by awakening, and both are of themselves substanceless and on that account cannot outline one's experience or environment.

Let us rejoice that God, Love, is the only cause. Let us acclaim that man reflecting Love is forever inspired, and this revelation cancels any claim of discouragement or frustration. We rightly reason: Love's presence is known by its joyous effects. In the gentle and merciful presence of all-pervading Love, thought naturally accepts the conclusion that God is All, and "the dream that matter and error are something" yields "to reason and revelation."