Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-13

book as Science and Health with Key
to the Scriptures" This work mas uh
locked the Scriptures to host Oh
earnest Christians who were not satis-
fled that they had found it's true mean
ing while studying it according to con-
ventional, literal interpretations. Ihe
Christian Science textbook is OF the
nature of a Bible commentary. III
helps the old friends of the Bible 10
understand it better. and makes new
friends for the Bible by bringing the
Indifferent, the agnostic, and the lnndel
to a realization of its logic and beauty.
The influence of the Christian Science
textbook is responsible for great IN
crease in Bible study and reading all
over the world, and accounts for a
large percentage of the increased sale
of Bibles which is so marked a feature
of this twentieth century.
Who that has been brought UP IN
Bible reading home. but in later life
has lost the use of the Bible, and
found it again through Christian Sci
ence. can ever forget the beauty or the
old familiar verses under the radiance
of the new interpretation? Translated
into metaphysical terms, the expert
ences OF the patriarchs and prophets
and the national vicissitudes of the
children of Israel take on meaning
applicable to our daily lives. The
works of Jesus for the first time be-
come Ineligible as the natural demon
strations of Spirit, intended for all
men, at all times: and the intimate
import of some of his sayings. hereto
fore hidden. Is suddenly revealed by.
flash of spiritual illumination. Christ
Jesus stands forth to the student of
the Christian Science textbook as the
great Exemplar whom ii is possible
to follow, however humbly, and who
is not merely performer OF miracles
which may have had value in his day
but have none i'm ours, nor yet merely
a teacher of paradoxes. Jesus hlmselt
declared of himself. ITO this end was |
born. and for this cause came into
the world that I should bear witness
unto the truth Every one that Is OF
the truth heareth my voice" This was
the truth of which he prophesied to
the Jews, "Ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you Free
Under the guidance of Christian Sci
ence the reasons for the special ditn-
cuties encountered by Jesus followers,
by his disciples and apostles and the
early Christians. as set forth IN the
New Testament oecome clear, as well
as the processes by which the carnal
truth to which Jesus bore witness.
The symbols of the Apocalypse reveal
their profound metaphysics. and Gen.
esis yields the secret of the true crea-
tion TO those who will study the Chris
tian Science textbook as a commentary
on IT, Conversely. the more the teach
ings OF Christian Science are examined
I'm the light OF the Bible, the more does
the evidence accumulate that they are
O. i a let
But. after all had been said that
could be said on the subject. IL would
still remain true that a science which
Is not actually applied to produce
definite results lacks confirmation. The
world has seen many philosophers,
many systems and doctrines which ap-
peared very satisfactory from the
basis of theory. but which were dtsap-
pointing If not disastrous, when ap-
piled to daily AFFAIRS. Christian Science
does not come before mankind merely
with platform or a creed for accept
ance, however reasonable these may
appear II Is not merely something to
be believed. but something to be used,
which in the using proves itself to be
feasible. available, practical, beneficent,
and powerful for good and against evil.
Christian Science. when correctly APP
piled. proves the truth of it's own
statements, and is therefore indepen-
dent of the opinion of any mortal or of
all mortals combined. 1t lives and
works because 1t is true, and Truth is
immortal. II is at the service OF all
who are willing to abide by its rules.
1t has always been available. and al
ways will be available because 1t is
everlastingly true.
Now, since the teachings of Chris
tian Science are found to be based upon
the Bible, ii is reasonable to expect
that the works of Christian Science
should be recorded i'm the Bible as we'll;
that not only the foundations of the
Science itself should be stated there,
but also specific instances of the ap-
plication of that Science should be set
forth by way of example and illustra-
tion. In fact. this reasonable eXpec-
tation has been fulfilled. From cover
to cover the Bible is full of instances
of the victory of Spirit over matter,
Truth over error, Life over death.
These instances are generally called
miracles, /. e., maryels or wonders. bui
they are really the natural and normal
consequences of the operation Of the
law of God i'm multiplying the supposed
laws of matter. Both in the Old and
the New Testaments are to be found
constantly recurring cases of the con-
quest OF spiritual understanding over
adverse material conditions. The Bible.
when read with open mind and recep-
tive heart, reveals itself as a grand
record of healing through spiritual
means. 1t is no mere history book, no
repository of wisdom. 1t is also
treasure-house full of practical demon
strations for practical people, illus
trating for everyday use the eternal
verities of inperishable Science.
In Jesus time, and in that of his i'm
mediate followers. the full force of
spiritual healing made itself felt. His
teaching was reinforced by his works,
his parallels illuminated by ocular
proofs. and his preaching demonstrated
by his practice He cured the man
sick OF the palsy of his physical all
ment at the same time that he forgave
his sins. He healed the centurion's
servant. though absent from him. He
fed the five thousand, walked on the
water. and finally raised himself from
the dead, through his understanding of
God. BY his works he proved for all
time the inherent impotence of sin,
sickness and death. SO that Paul, who
had not known Jesus personally, and
who had even considered ii his duty
to persecute his followers, was able TO
see the marvellous significance of his
career as the eXemplif1catiOn of mis-
teachings. He writes to the Romans,
For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law of sin and DEATH" and again,
to the Corinthians. "The last enemy
that shall be destroyed is DEATH" and
again. Jesus Christ .. hath abol-
ished death"
The question now arises, Do we really
believe the testimony Of the Bible, or
de we not? Shall it be said that this
record Of spiritual healing which has
been in the possession of mankind for