The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-10-25
DISEASE IS WITHOUT
Terror, SAYS KNAPP
Asserts Belief That Cod Takes Away
Loved Ones for Inscrutable Pur-
pose Leads to Inhdelity.

Christian Science: The Revelation of
Divine Power was the subject Of the
lecture delivered at Polls Theater yes
terday afternoon by Bliss Knapp. c. :.
b.. a member OF the board of lecture of
| The First Church of Christ, Scientist, In
Boston. 1t was the first In the series
Of lectures on the subject Of Christian
Science to be delivered this season under
auspices Of the local Christian Science
churches and was attended by a large
audience of Interested hearers. The
speaker was introduced by Mr.. Edward
L. Norwood.
Mr.. Knapp said:
THE invalid Is not frightened at his
disease. 1t Is the possible termination
OF that disease that frightens him. Then
his frightened sense finds sweet conso-
lation In the Masters teaching. I am
come that they might have life, and
that they might have IL more abund-
antly.' There followed, too, the expla-
nation. This is life eternal. that they
might know thee the only true God and
Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Two things are therefore needful to
save ones life. II Is to know God and
also His Son Jesus Christ. Some believe
that Jesus was God, and that belief eN-
cludes the God and Father to whom
Jesus himself prayed. The condition of
thought that sets aside Christian heal
ing may not be so much a lack of faith.
as complete omission from prayer or
any recognition of the God and Father
TO whom Jesus prayed.
In the face OF so much popular mis-
conception about what God really is
Jesus found 1t exceedingly difficult to
get the people to accept the truth about
Him. II was necessary to avoid in so
far as possible. any statemen; about
God that would be open to doubt or con-
troversy. He endeavored therefore TO
a right apprehension Of God
by making the people familiar with the
effect OF divine power on humanity. The
popular belief prevailed then as now
that God sends sickness to discipline NOR
tails and bring them to God But when
Jesus portrayed the nature OF God as He
actually is. II had the effect of healing
the sickS in every case and thereby
proved. In a manner that admitted Of
no doubt or controversy. that sickness is !
no part Of Gods nature.
Another popular belief adhered to then
as now was that God knows. or at least |
permits. sin. That too was disposed Of /
by showing the effect divine power had !
IN cleansing sinners. even as light always |
dtspels darkness. Moreover people be-
ieved then as now that God takes away |
our loved ones FOR some inscrutable pur-
bose: and this belief has unquestionably |
hrust more people into infidelity and |
than have ever been rescued |
herefrom. But when Jesus declared the
ruth about God as He actually is. il de-
'troyed death and the grave. and there
~ proved the nature OF God TO be Life
4 am sI,nt 81 I
lie. and that they might have il more !
This is life eternal, that
hey might know thee. the only true God
md Jesus Christ. whom thou hast sent
People could see the physical changes
by Jesus readily enough, and in
/ manner that admitted of no doubt
But natural question to follow Is this:
Gould II be taught to others? 1t is said
hat no one really understands a thing
or himself until he can teach IL to an
'ther. That Jesus made disciples who
ould repeat his healing ministry was
he proof that the healing power could
r taught to others, and that he under
TODD IL. Indeed, the early Christians
roved the same thing by continuing
hose works OF healt for 800 years after
he time of Jesus. Even So the Christian
cientist Is today perpetuating that heal
lg ministry just to the degree that he
aims a correct understanding Of Him
whom to know Alright is life eternar-an
understanding of the God and Father to
HON Jesus prayed.
Some hesitate to accept the teaching
hat there Is one Mind through fear of
'sing their individuality. But only as
ian Is governed by God Is he properly
II ne Is not self-Governed.
e loses his individuality. He saves all
only to the degree that he
governed by his true selfhood in the
ne Mind. No one ever lost his individ-
Atty simply because there Is one hon.
sly. or one goodness. or one two times
To are four. Job said. Thou art in one
lind and Paul said, quoting from a
reek poet. In Him we live and move,
nd have our being Jesus gives US the
ght to refer to God as Ny God Then
nee He Is one Mind the Christian has
a et.ial right to say, God Is my Mind
~ intelligence, my honesty, my life
ldividuals in dire distress have been
nown to cling so devotedly to the one
ict. that God Is their life, and to the
'clusion Of all else, as actually to real
e the truth OF II. and to be wonderfully
ealed thereby. Then, since God Is our
Ind, and In Him We live and move and
ave our being we do not look up to
i'm In the distant heavens; for, behold.
Re kingdom of God Is within you
We should therefore look out from
i'm. from His viewpoint, with His in
and see things as He sees
en- pure. perfect, harmonious and we'll.
deed. from what other viewpoint
ould We, see them? Clothed with that D
Ind which was also in Christ Jesus. and
ewing all things from the viewpoint Of
e one Mind, Christians are endowed
tn the power Of sons and daughters of
I'd to cast out all that Is unlike God