Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-02-21

changes or progresses; not that the
teachings of Jesus the Christ, the
Founder of Christianity, need to be re-
vised or the Bible rewritten. We read
in the Scriptures that with God there
is neither variableness nor shadow OF
turning; we also believe that the pre-
cepts and warnings of Jesus can never
become Anticipated, and that the Bible
OF our fathers, the great treasure
house of Christendom, when spiritual
ly interpreted by Christian Science,
suffices for our daily needs. The
thread of gold which CLEANS through
out the fabric of the Bible will shine
forth forever to be apprehended by
the receptive thought everywhere. So
it is not a new Bible which Christian
Science contemplates, but one and the
same Bible, explained in spiritually
progressive manner. 1t is not new
God which it proclaims, but the only
true God, our Father which is in
heaven. 1t makes no attempt at an
improved Christ, for there is but one
Christ, who is in the bosom of the
Father, perfect, eternal, and indestruc-
tib!e.
But there are certain particulars in
which Christian Science differs from
the generally accepted doctrines of re-
ligion. First of all Christian Science
calls for very decided change in the
human point of view, in mans COM
prehension of eternal verities. 1t
means the application of Science to
subjects which popular thought has in
times past been taught to regard as
shadowy and visionary. 1t throws the
OF 1iubt of Goiauro ,ynOn tho nature
and attributes of Deity, upon the
teachings and works of the Christ, and
it makes clear and emphasizes the es-
sential imperishable import of the b.
ble's spiritual message. The general
opinion of mankind does not credit re-
ligion with any great degree OF GER
tainty and definiteness. And yet, II
the matter be given moments quiet
consideration it must be evident that
if there is any certainty or definite
ness, any exact knowledge or science
about anything anywhere in the I'M
mensity of infinity, surely 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 foun-
dation of the earth, and my right hand
hath spanned the heavens: when I call
unto them, they stand up together"
Spiritual facts are not shadOwy be-
liefs, not random guesses, nor do they
vanish at the touch of careful investi-
cation and painstaking research:
rather do they loom up larger, more
substantial, the clearer the investfga-
tors logic, the stronger his powers of
observation, the freer he Is in heart
and mind from the letters of anti
quated opinions, the farther he ad-
vances in his study of the real and
eternal.
Christian Science calls upon man.
kind for a frank and fearless revision
Of its own beliefs about the unchang-
ling God, His man and His universe.
This age, which is not afraid to fly In
the face of the sun on filmy 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 concerning God and His uni
verse be caple of more precise state
ment? Why should 1t be thought q
thing unreasonable with any one that
God can become more definitely un-
derstood by the average man than has
been the case in the past? Why should
not the understanding of how to grow
in grace. how to deepen and broaden
ones spiritual concepts, progress &C.
cording to law? And why should not
this knowledge concerning the f0un-
tainhead of all knowledge, the Giver
of all good gifts. the absolute eternal
Principle of all life, in whom we live,
and move, and have our being,-why
should not this knowledge constitute
demonstrable Science?
Christian Scientists believe that 1t
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 Gode
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 teachings 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. 465).
Upon a correct comprehension of
God depends the happiness, the peace,
the true prosperity, and the true use
fulness of mankind. Nay, more,-and
this Is point which may seem novel
to many,-Christian Science shows
that the true health of mankind Is de-
termined by their understanding of
God and His Christ. Not only Is this
correct and scientific knowledge prov
ed to be beneficial to man in his daily
avocations, In his home, In his busi-
ness, in his individual affairs and in
his participation in the affairs of the
nation, but 1t exerts a beneficial eff
feet upon the physical condition of
men, women and children, and heals
sickness as we'll as sin and sorrow.
Let us then consider some of these
definitions Of God as given in the
Scrinturoc and n,,Otod IN, tho NI,rie