The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-10
por;ant factor in the wonderful progress
OF their church.
THE IMPORTANT DISCOXIcRY


To some good people a sufficient reason
for refusing 20 investigate this subject Is
the assertion. that IL this were of God
the discovery would have been made long
ago. This objection IL one which might be
advanced for every new step I'm the pro-
gress OF the race. Why did not Martin
Luther and Washington and Lincoln
come long years before their advent? To
reject Christian Science because OF its
late discovery is TO show slight under
standing of the worlds development. AS
well refuse the telephone on the ground
that III IL were truly beneficial 10 man II
would have been discovered long ago, as
to refuse the investigation OF Christian
Sciense because OF Its recent discovery.
study OF history will make II clear that
discoveries arc made when human needs
are apparent, and the demands for high
er and better conditions arc recognized.
The apparent need for swifter commu-
nication by land and sea between man
and man, and the demand for better ia
cilities OF transportation, were followed
by the discovery OF the steam engine and
the electric dynamo. In our civil. social.
and religious problems there are apparent
and appalling needs. Is there not a cry
ing demand for higher and better condi-
tions In the social fabric? Do not our
overlooking prisons. our crowded hospi-
tails, our asylums all point to deep hu-
man need for better conditions? Do not
the race and industrial problems that
confront us call for a new remedy? or
shall we say that discoveries are In place
everywhere except in religion? Do we
not all agree that the great discoveries
which have so advanced the civilization
OF the age have been the work OF God?
Shall we then affirm that God works ben
efficiently through discovery In every field
except religion ?We are confident that the
future will make plain that the advent OF
ri
natural as the advent OF the electric
light. Before electricity could be discov-
cred and applied. there must depart from
man the fear OF this agent. There must
be a recognition In II of a power that
may be used for good ends; there must
come n desire TO escape from darkness
and emerge into light. Accompanying this
new and uplifted desire. IL the right man
10 make the discovery. Watt, Morse, ana
Edison became discoverers. not through
accident but by reason of their fitness
for the discovery. Only through extraor-
dinary insight. indefa tigable research,
and persistent and unremitting toll, have
we been blessed with the steam engine,
the telegraph, and the electric light We
are confident that the future will make
plain that those conditions which accom-
panied the benehcent discoveries In the
physical realm. have been present like
wise I'm the advent OF Christian Science.
The closing years of the last century
were strongly marked by departure of
fear and the presence OF higher under
standing and love for the Infinite ALI
Power. the Creator and Father of man.
These years were likewise characterized
by an intense aspiration for higher and
better conditions among men.
HOPES FULFILLED.
In the Discoverer OF Christian Science
we have found most strongly marked
the hopeful features which out past cen-
tury has made apparent. She knew her
heavenly Father only as divine Love. TOR
whom she had no thought OF fear. but
only the most tender regard. AT her
mothers knee she was taught that the
power OF God through prayer could re-
store her 10 health and harmony. In
childhood. through effectual fervent pray
er, she banished sickness and restored
health. Having heard that Daniel offered
up his prayers 10 God seven times a day
she thought that this was the practice
among all Christians and she would not
close her eyes In sleep at night until
seven fervent petitions had been offered
at the throne of grace. She was gifted
with extraordinary spiritual insight. So
remarkable were her spiritual gifts that
a sainted clergyman said OF her, She
was sanctified before she had birth" Ac-
companylng this deep love for God was
an intense love for man Her early years
were marked by unselish devotion
TO the needy. AS a child she was wont 10
bestow her garments upon her less forlu-
nate playmates. AS she grew older. she
became ministering angel to the afflict-
ed and the needy She was insprted with
an intense conviction that the remedy Tor
all the IS which afflicted mankind vas
the loving power of God IL need only a
crisis In her life TO make possible great
discovery. This crisis came when. In "tne
no earthly remedy to heal. Bereft OF all
material a.d she sought the heavenly
Comforter. and Gods answer to that
prayer was health and the discovery or
Christian Science To whom shah we
go for convincing proof as TO the truth
OF the discovery and It's value? Is II not
true that those who consider themselves
or their interests injured by discovery
frequently reject It, and condemn the dis
coverer? The owner OF the stage coacn
opposes the coming ~ the railroad. the
maker OF candles Is blind to the electric
light: but the great mass OF the people
are glad to abide by results and accept
what II best.
In conclusion. the vastly important
declaration made by this religion is. that
there has been discovered the Principle OF
healing sin and sickness employed by
Jesus and the Apostolic church. The
further understanding IL. that the fruits
or TINS discovery may ne enjoyed Dy All,
Each one may so understand the Princi-
pie of his beindg that nc can overcome
sickness In himself and others and du-
stroy the power OF SIN and even death 1T
self This healing Principle is God. ui
whom the Psalmist chanted. He healeth
all thy diseases" Is this too good to be
true? Rather shall we not say. II Is true
because II is good. II Christian Science
Is false. then It's more than n million
cures are the product OF a falsehood; all
Its intelligent and Ndevout membership,
its multiplied churches, are the outgrowth
OF delusion. How long Is IL since false
hood was the father OF such progeny?
When was IL that the law OF God was 80
changed that thorns are bearing grapes
AID thistles ripen.ng figs? II II be true,
then herein we have fulfilled the bright
and glowing promises of psalmst and
prophet Herein Is found realized the
long hope OF the ages: herein gows
brighter and brighter the light which has
been leading the children of men out OF
darkness into the eternal MONDAY OF God:
herein are fulfilled the comforting words