Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-08
CHURCH REARED
ON FIRM BASIS
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PROVES
IMMUNE TO FOES
MRS. EpDY's DOCTRINE is EM-
5RAcED BY ALL NATIONS
Able Writer Explains Why caIumny
and Opposition Have Failed to
Retard Progress of Eter-
nal Principles
RY GEORGE SHAW COOK

Evening Herald, Chicago, wrote in a
recent issue of that paper as follows
I'm all our cities, and throughout
every state, can now be found Christian
Science churches. This growth has not
been accomplished without the over
coming of great obstacles. The yirility
of this Science of Mind Healing has
astonished those who have not accepted
nor who do not understand the teach-
ings Like all great movements 1t has
had strong opposition to overcome. Its
adherents have been ridiculed, abused
and even prosecuted, but as the gales
cause the oaks to strike deeper and
firmer their roots so have opposition,
misrepresentation and calumny affected
Christian Science"
The Christian Science movement has
expanded until its outposts have at
least touched the borders of every civil
lized nation, not because of the opposl-
tion to which reference is made in the
foregoing quotation, but in spite OF
that opposition. What is the rea-
son for this remarkable growth?
What does the Christian Science move
ment stand for? To quote again from
the article above referred to.
Build Beyond Demands
at is the custom of Christian Scien-
lists to build beyond the demands OF
the present congregation, with the ex-
pectation of a steady increase of mem
bers, and the churches are usually
filled when ready for occupancy Re-
dundancy of ornamentation would De
out of harmony with Christian Science,
which agrees with Paurs injunction to
Use the world as not abusing it. Like
wise a want of proper beauty, con-
venience and comfort would fail TO
comply with the demands of Christian
Science. Traditional customs ana
ideas do not affect the conduct of the
Christian Scientists, which is governed
by a fixed principle. In the building OF
the churches convenience, comfort ana
suitable adornment are combined, so
that in their houses of worship there
shall be nothing to interfere with the
contemplation of things spiritual.
.'The extreme simplicity of all these
churches and their freedom from an
cient and medieval decorations, the
absence of pagan symbols adapted TO
ornamentation and the lack of anti
uuated notions-these features impress
one with the fact that Christian Sclen-
fists have departed from tradition and
are animated by real and unfettered
purpose"
What is the basis of this expectancy;
what the inspiration of this "unfet-
tered purpose? What does the Cnrls-
tian Science Church stand for?
Churches Stand as Symbols
The Christian Science church organ
ization, while admirable in simplicity
and in doing a most valuable work, but
nrefigIlres the true church which will re-
veal its presence when the kingdoms OF
this world" have in deed and in truth be-
come the "kingdom of our Lord ana
His Christ" Mrs Eddy, the dlscoV1
erer and founder of Christian Science,
has defined this true church In the
Christian Science textbook, Science and
Health with Key to the Scripture, page
5S3 as 1.-The structure of Truth ana
Love: whatever rests upon and pro-
ceeds from divine Principle" Although
abstract this definition is of mueh
practical value to humanity, and Is
suppIemented by the further definition:
.'The Church is that institution which
affords proof of its utility and is found
elevating the race, rousing the dor
mant understanding from material be-
liefs to the Apprehension OF spiIteua. 5i.,:ra
ideas and the demonstration or divine
Science, thereby casting out devils or
error, and healing the sick"
Adapted to Needs of Man
Without this adaptation to the needs
of mankind, the Christian Science
church as an institution would have no
good reason for existence. In order to
Justify it's presence among men, the
Church of Christ, Scientist, must real
ize Mrs. Eddy's definition ana must pe
ready to answer not theoretically but
practically the question which serves
as a title to this article: what does
Christian Science stand for?"
In the endeayor to answer this peril
nent question, the writer asks the ptiv-
ilege of saying that his answer, how
ever inadequate, will not be that of
the theorist so much as of one who
has had some practical experience as
a demonstrator of the principle and
the rule of Christian Science mind
healing.
What does Christian Science stand
for? Christian Science stands for the
fundamental fact that God is good;
that he is all Good and always good;
that God is illimitable Spirit, imponder-
able substance, infinite intelligence, in
fallible wisdom. immutable Truth, inter-
minable Life, ineffable Love. 1t stands
for a perfect spiritual universe as the
creation of God who is Spirit, and for
a perfect spiritual man as the likeness
of God. 1t stands for the universal
Fatherhood and Motherhood of God,
and for the complete and perfect broth
erhood of man. 1t stands for Christ as
the spiritual idea of God and for Christ
Jesus as the perfect ideal of divine SON
ship. 1t stands for Jesus of Nazareth
as the model Christian, the master
methaphysician and the highest
demonstrator of mans unity with God.
Stands for Gods Supremacy
Christian Science stands for the law
of God and the government of God. 1t
stands for the preservation and protec-
tion of man and the universe accord
ing to the law of God. 1t stands for
Gods law as to the law of life, health
and perfection to man, for Gods law
as the law of opportunity, activity, and
success to man.
Christian Science stands for freedom
from fear, for salvation from sin and
consequently for mans deliverance
from disease and death. It stands for
progress and prosperity-the progress
which is the law of God, and the pros
perity which results from the enforce
ment of that law. IL stands for peace
and plenty--for the peace of God which
passeth (human) understanding, and
the abiding sense of plenty which is an
essential element of true peace. IT
stands for mental integrity and moral
purity: for fidelity and faithfulness;
for right relationship, unity of purpose,
co-operatfon and reciprocity, brotherly
love. charity and compassion. II
stands for heaven and harmony-the
harmony which is heaven within, and
for all that makes for the establish
nent OF the kingdom Of heaven or har-
Inony here
Christian Science stands for the elm
nation Of evil from the individual and
from society. 1t stands for the re-
rnoval of limitation and for mans do
rninion over circumstances and envi-