An editor of an agricultural publication was asked to prepare a presentation of promotional material by adapting an idea competitors had used. When the presentation was finished, the other editors and some of the advertisers thought it was good. But one prospective advertiser said, "I don't see any difference between what you have to offer and what is offered by any other farm magazine."
This straightforward comment caused the editors to change to something that presented their own distinctive features, and success followed the change. In thinking about the experience the editor, a Christian Scientist, realized that the lesson could be applied to her practice of Christian Science. She asked herself: "Am I showing by my practice that Christian Science is different from other systems, or am I just claiming that it is? Do I really understand that it is different?"
Turning to the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, to be sure she knew the difference, she found the specific answer in Unity of Good: "What is the cardinal point of the difference in my metaphysical system? This: that by knowing the unreality of disease, sin, and death, you demonstrate the allness of God. This difference wholly separates my system from all others. The reality of these so-called existences I deny, because they are not to be found in God, and this system is built on Him as the sole cause. It would be difficult to name any previous teachers, save Jesus and his apostles, who have thus taught." Un., pp. 9, 10;
