Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-01

evening. He held the complete attention
lty, flrst reader Of tho church. who spol
sential nature Of matter the question
arises, Is matter Of Gods creation? Is
God, who is Spirit. Mind. Soul the Gre
ator of that which il 30 unlike Him
self?
It should be noted that thinkers in
all ages have found 1t very difficult to
define matter. The most successful
definitions of matter have been In
terms of mind. that n. have been
metaphy sical not physical.
The theory about matter which has
prevailed but ID now waning il called
the atomic theory. This presupposes
that matter can be finally subdtvided
into particles so minute that they can
no longer be further subdtvided. These
final particles are called atoms. but
they can not be apprehended by the
physic al senses, upon whose testimony
they depend for their claim to exist
ence. They can only be imagined, sup
posed, assumed.
At this point there arises q meta
physical difficulty which has never
been successfully explained away. The
human mind can not conceive OF
particle being incapable OF subdivision
SO long as It continues to be some.
thing The human mind argues that
If particle is something it can still
be further subdivided. Only II the
particle should become nothing would
it cease to be capable of being sub
divided This argument OF the human
mind leads to the following dilemma:
Either matter must be conceived OF as
being capable of being subdivided ad
inflnitum, which is an absurdity. or
else matter must finally be reduced to
the point Of zero, or nothing.
In recent years the popular suppo-
sition that matter is indestructible
substance has received some very
marked notifications. The theory that
the atom has substance has now given
place to the theory that the atom Is an
electrical ion is equivalent to energy.
or to a form of motion. The more the
atom is pursued the more evanescent
it becomes until it is reduced to mere
suppos!tion.
Now, If matter resolves itself into
supposition it is obvious that its SEEM
ingiy perniciois activities can he cor
rected mentally. through spiritual un-
derstanding, through Christ Truth. II
matter is not an Independent entity,
debating terms to man, but is under
control through Christian Science, then
one of the most prolific sources Of fear
has been overcome-the fear that mat
ter is an uncomfortable power urging
man forward to an Irresistible doom.
Pubic opinion is being constantly pre-
pared. through the investigation of the
~ 10 ~
conclusions reached by Mrs. Eddy so
Christian Science textbook, namely
Matter is an error of statement (Sci-
ence and Health p. BID
The Law Of God.
1t should also be recognized that God
governs the universe, including man.
through law. There is nothing acct
dental about His government, nor 10 II
characterized by special Interpolation,
favoritism or Partially, but by immut-
able law. Gods law must inevitably
partake Of His nature. and 30 be
wholly good. and wholly spiritual or
mental. The law Of God can not be
productive OF evil nor can II be physic-
al or material. Gods law never ulti-
mates In sin or sickness. nor does It
produce the physical phenomena which
destroy and MAIN defenseless men.
women and little children. The law OF
destruction is the law OF the carnal
mind, of self-wilL OF mortality and
personal sense, and is curbed and made
Of none effect by the law Of God.
Miracles.
When we come TO consider those acts
recorded in the scriptures. commonly
called miracles. the questions which
present themselves in regard to them
are thcse-were they performed ae-
cording to law? Are they natural. nor
NAL and legitimate manifestations OF
power. or are they unnatural. abnor-
NAL. and fllegitimate? Do they rep
resent an infraction OF law. or are they
in accordance with lawful procedure!
Are they the manifestations OF spe-
ciai interposit;on Of providence or the
grant Of special privilege? Are they
altogether exceptional and confined to
a special time and place. or are they
to be expected among all men, In all
places. at all periods Of the worlds
history, in response to the definite ana
eternal law of God?
In modern times. when confronted
with the evidence OF these acts re-
corded in the scriptures. the tendency
of mankind has been either to doubt
the authenticity of the records, or to
describe them as altogether excep-
tional and az the result OF special
power conferred solely upon Jesus.
in reply 10 .Icse vieUs = must he
said. in the first place, that these acts
are as well authenticated as any that
are recorded in history. 1t is just as
easy to prove that certain historical
events which are undisputed today
never took place as it is to prove that
these miracles were not actual occur
rences. Then, If they are believed to
be the result Of special power con-
ferred upon Jesus, this does not take
into consideration similar acts re-
corded in the old testment, nor the
works done by the disciples OF Jesus
and by the early christians for several
centuries. Neither does 1t take into
account Jesus own commands and in
functions to his disciples. not only to
preach the gospel but also to heal
the sick; his prophecy that he that
believeth on me the works that do
shall he do also. and greater works
than these shall he do because I 80
unto my Father: nor his statement
And these signs shall follow them
that believe; in my name shall they
cast out devils they shall lay
hands or the sick, and they shall re-
cover"
s.