Christian Science.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 28, Issue 75, 29 September 1916, Page 2

Christian Science.

* WHAT DOBS IT TEACH ? A member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in the United States, lecturing on this subject in Edinburgh, set forth some of the tenets of this body as follows There is perhaps one basic thought upon which all religionists agree at the very outset—namely, Consciousness is. We all assent to the fact that we are in a conscious state of being or existence, and that without such consciousness we would cease to exist. So far, so good. But when we attempt to call this consciousness God, or good, we immediately plunge into an abyss of darkness from which the Christian world for centuries has been struggling to extricate itself, that of mingling good and evil, calling evil good and good evil. This dualistic concept of consciousness has been the seeming cause of untold suffering and torment to the human race. It is evident, then, that from it humanity must escape if it would ever reach what is called heaven. Hence its need of a Saviour. Heaven is, always has been, and always will be, not a locality, but a divine, harmonious state of consciousness into which no erroneous or evil thought ever entered or ever can enter. It therefore follows conclusively that all wrong thoughts must be purged from consciousness, and that our heaven will be found here and now just to the extent that we reject the evil and lay hold of the good. God is not revealed to humanity through a good and evil consciousness. Whoever insists upon owning such a consciousness has not therefore partaken of the resurrection. This fact is one that should receive more thoughtful consideration at the hands of all Christian people, for it most vitally concerns the welfare of all humanity.

One of the very first things which the student of Christian Science does after gaining even a faint glimpse of the truth of his being is to give all power to good and none to evil. The door to the kingdom of heaven is opened to him the moment he does this. Then he wonders why he spent so many years in believing in two powers while calling one of them omnipotent. Wherever the Christ activity has begun to find expression in individual consciousness, behold a better man or woman, one who is more practical, more honest, more loving, more sympathetic, more generous, more considerate, more capable in every respect. Disobedience to God’s law is what retards normal human progress, while obedience to it leads Immediately to a present participation in all that makes for the mental, moral, and physical uplift of humanity.

Mary Baker Eddy, the acknowledged discoverer and founder of Christian Science, was a truly wonderful woman. Her genuine nobility of character her intensely religious nature, her unbounded love for God and humanity, her untiring labours for the g»od of mankind, her sublime courage and trust made her one of the world’s greatest modern religious leaders and teachers. The one dominating feature of her life was that she had learned the meaning of love, and how to reflect it toward friend and foe alike. She claimed no infalibility nor sought any personal aggrandisement. Those who knew her best affirm that she was a wise counsellor and a true friend.