For nearly two thousand years the Christian Church, in general, has stood for the best in human society. During this period it has had its moral ups and downs, but regardless of periodic lapses it has managed to keep the spark of spiritual values alight —for which we should be very grateful.
However, history shows that much of the spiritual power that characterized the primitive church became diluted by the end of the third century. Except for occasional instances, the power to heal the sick by spiritual means disappeared from Christian practice. Theological abstractions became the center of interest, and although a residue of spirituality remained, the full implications of Christ Jesus' teachings were lost.
But this residual light persisted through the centuries. It became brighter during the Protestant Reformation, and blazed into full glory with Mrs. Eddy's discovery of the Science of Christianity—the Science that heals disease, and is destined to destroy all material limitations. She writes of her discovery: "This Science is the essence of religion, distilled in the laboratory of infinite Love and prepared for all peoples."The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 178;
