DOOK REVIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

DOOK REVIEW.

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE POINT OF VIEW. *

A booklet entitled Christian Science versus Popular Religion, including essays on prayer and a chapter on spiritual regeneration by Charles Herman Lea has been published by Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent and Co., London. The first part deals in interesting fashion with the fundamental difference between Christian science and what the writer calls popular religion. The author contends that God is infinite and perfect and that the world as we know it cannot be the real world. The real world is God and His perfect spiritual creation, and, for this, the writer maintains that the healing and other works of Christian Science are evidence. Prayer is defined, in the chapter dealing with it, as the essence of all true religion, and the sincere desire to recognise God's power and presence. The writer ably elaborates his thesis, and, no less ably develops the thesis that "the reality of spiritual law and truth that to think and to act in harmony therewith is_ the only way of gaining perfect happiness and contentment." He suggests that the various Churches should consider not primarily what doctrines are taught in the Bible, hut the facts it reveals regarding God, and their implications, on the ground that they form the key to truth and to the correct statement of doctrines. The hook is well worth reading for its cuggestiveness, and as giving the Christian Science point of view on the themes of which it treats.

Mary in the garden knew Him not. The two upon their sorrowful way did not recognise their companion. May it not be that we also miss some tokens of the presence of the risen Christ along our sorrowful way? For ministry is the appointed method of communion and he who gives himself to Christ's brethren is living in the very presence Christ.—Brainard'Campbell.