Articles

Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; He who would search for pearls must dive below. Dryden.

TO comprehend the constitutional rights of Christian Scientists, who do not elect to employ medical doctors, it is necessary to bear in mind certain fundamental principles of American government. While these ought to be familiar to all American citizens, an accurate statement thereof, from recognized authorities, will help to clarify the subject under discussion.

THE writer is in receipt of a letter from a man who has been an active member of an orthodox church for half a century, a man whose voice has been heard in earnest exhortation and prayer, and whose Christian character is above reproach. The claims of Christian Science, as to the lifegiving virtue in Christianity, have been brought home to him through the healing of a member of his family after the efforts of materia medica and his own prayers had failed to bring even temporary relief.

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.