Articles

My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE comprehends so much, that we cannot pretend to have learned it thoroughly, even after years of study. It is many-sided, yet withal simple.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. — Jesus.

It is well stated in the Constitution of the State of Illinois that "A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of civil government is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty. " Recent events have shown Christian Scientists that this admonition may well be heeded at this time, since it would appear that some people in our country deem it desirable so to regulate Christian Science by law as to prohibit its practice as a means of healing.

It is probable that every young student of Christian Science, after struggling between the conceded fact that God to be infinite must be all, and the seeming fact, cognizable by the physical senses, that matter is real, possessing place and power, gets wearied and perplexed, and asks himself desperately, "Well, what is here?" He surveys his room, sees chairs, tables, pictures, walls; and so overwhelming seems the sense testimony, so substantial, so solid, so constant seem these witnesses for the cause of matter, so unvarying in their perpetual plea, that he begins to doubt the existence of an omnipresent being, and to give credence to that which denies the all-presence of Spirit. I know of a man who is a good example of the muddle into which one is likely to get by trying to serve God and mammon, or Spirit and matter, believing in the reality of both.

" Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. " Early in the Christian era Paul uttered these words, and his demonstration of the divine power to save from disease as well as sin, proved how true they were, but human theories relating to salvation have gradually darkened the apprehension of their real import, and postponed the realization of their fulfilment.

The mystery of the origin of evil has been a prolific subject of philosophical contention throughout the ages. The numerous theories regarding the origin of evil which have found place in prominent systems of human thought, separate themselves naturally into two distinct groups.

Faith has been defined as an affectionate, practical confidence in the Word of God. Christian Science can accept this definition, provided the confidence referred to is sufficiently enlightened to rely directly upon God as the sole healing power; but if it turns away from Spirit in the hour of need by resorting to material remedies and methods under the misleading assumption that "God blesses the means," Christian Science will classify this faith as blind belief, devoid of practicality.

In order to approach the subject of Christian Science and legislation intelligently, it is necessary to remember that the American people is a religious people and that the prevailing religion in the United States is Christian. It is also necessary to know that these historical facts are judicially known and acted on by the Courts, and they are presumed to be and should be recognized and given effect by the legislatures, and thus enter into and give character to our laws.

Probably no three English words embrace greater wisdom than these, "Prove all things. " The first demands the clear thinking of the logician, with the rigid impartiality of the judge; the rejection of all that is false: the retention of all that is true.