The Washington herald., 1912-04-29
w. d. McCrackdn Asserts God Is Not
Creator of Epil, and Right Under
standing of Him Destroys EviI.

lperishable import of the Bibles SPIT
itusl message The general opinion Of
mankind does not credit religion with
any great degree of certainty and def
niteness. And yet if the matter be
given a moments quiet consideration II
must be evident that if there is any GER
tainty or dehniteness, any exact lnowl-
edge or science about anything any,
where in the immensely of inhnity, sure
ly that exact knowledge ought to be
applicable to the Maker of all that is,
to Him who has said through His
prophet Isaiah: Mine hand also hath
laid the foundation of the earth, and
My right hand hath spanned the
heavens; when call unto them, they
stand up together" Spiritual facts are
not shadowy beliefs, not random
guesses, nor do they vanish at the touch
of careful investigation and painstak-
ing research; rather do they loom up
larger, more substantial, the clearer the
Investigators logic, the stronger his
powers of observation, the freer he IS
in heart and mind from the fetters of
antiquated opinions, the farther he ad-
vances in his study of the real and
eternal.
Christian Science calls upon mankind
for frank and fearless revision of its
own beliefs about the unchanging God,
His man and His universe. This age,
which is not afraid to fly in the face
of the sun on flmy wings, is asked to
display the necessary courage to pass
in review the things which pertain to
its own salvation from false gods. Why
should not right and just views con-
cerning God and His universe be capa-
bic of more precise statement? Why
should It be thought thing unreason-
able with any one that God can become
more definitely understood by the aver
age man than has been the case in the
past? Why should not the understand
ing of how to grow in grace, how TO
deepen and broaden ones spiritual con-
cepts, progress according to laws And
why should not this knowledge con-
cerning the fountainhead of all knowl-
edge, the Giver Of all good gifts, the
| absolute eternal Principle of all life,
I in whom we live. and move, and have
our being-why should not this knowl-
edge constitute demonstrable Science?
Christian Scientists believe that it
does; that Jesus pointed out the only
true, final, and real knowledge when He
said, "And this is life eternal, that they
might know Thee, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent"
WHAT IS GoDF
Every thinking man finds himself,
sooner or later, face to- face with the
all-important and all-absorbing ques-
ton. What is God?
In summarizing the teaching Of
Christian Science for the student, Mrs.
Eddy. the Discoverer and Founder of
Christian Science, gives the answer to
that question in her work, Science and
Health with Key to the Scriptures: {:
God is incorporeal, divine, supreme,
infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle,
Life, Truth, Love" (p. 46s).
Upon a correct comprehension of
God depends the happiness, the peace,
the true prosperity, and the true use
fulness of mankind. Nay, more-snd
this is point which may seem novel
to many-Christian Science shows thai
the true health of mankind is deter
mined by their understanding of God
and His Christ Not only is this cor
rect and scientific knowledge proved to
be beneficial to man in his daily avo-
cations, in his home, in his business, in
his individual affairs, and in his par
ticipstion in the affairs of the nation,
but it exerts beneficial effect upon the
physical condition of men, women, and
children, and heals sickness, as well as
sin and sorrow.
Let US then consider some Of these
definitions of God as given in the Scrip
lures and quoted in the Christian Sci
ence textbook, and then let US carry
them TO their logical conclusions.
Take, for example, the definition of
God given by Jesus to the Samaritan
woman when He said God is Spirit"
What must be one of the inevitable
conclusions in regard to the essential
nature of man which is to be drawn
from this definition?
II God is Spirit then the real man
of His creation, who is made in His
image and likeness, as the Bible as
sures US, and therefore partakes of His
nature, must be spiritual, j. E., must ex-
press and manifest Spirit The real
mans Life must be Spirit, his faculties
must be spiritual. Furthermore, as the
image and likeness of Cod, man, as he
really is, must be complete, happy,
wholesome, and healthy. He cannot
deny his parentage or bring discredit
upon his ancestry. He must be eternal
and indestructible now, this ideal man,
A.. e.. .r