The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-07-03

l think that we shall all agree that
the ultimate goal of all education,
study, and research is to acquire the
ability to discriminate between the
real and the unreal, or that which Is
true and that which is untrue; in
other words, to become conscious of
reality.
Weary with fruitless search for the
truth concerning human existence,
confused and troubled, mortals have
felt as did Pope, who wrote of mortal
man:
"Chaos Of thought and passion. all
confused; =.
Great lord of all things, yet prey
to all;
Sole Judge Of truth, in endless
error hurled
The glory, jest, and riddle of the
world"
declaring that "the wisdom of this
world is foolishness with God"
In addition to wondering what it is
all about, tendency Of mortals is to
be afraid-afraid about many things:
the weather, their food, their clothes,
their business, their children, and their
health. Then if occasionally they have
few minutes of peace they are apt to
wonder what is wrong with them and
Immediately proceed to find something
about which to worry.
After few years of wonder, worry,
and disappointment, mortals try to
console themselves with the belief that
they may receive happiness and re-
ward in a post-mortem experience.
But, when the time for this expected
happiness and joy is apparently draw
ing nigh, every endeavor is made to
postpone this experience.
To this miserable and apparently
hopeless situation come the glad It'd
ings of Christian Science to those who
are listening for Truth, giving them
the ability to solve these perplexing
problems and assuring them that they
may attain, here and now, the spiri-
tual understanding which will enable
them to declare with rejoicing that it
il a pleasure and a privilege to live.
Christ Jesus
As Christ Jesug is the founder and
great exposition of Christianity, and
since his religion is the sole foundation
of Christian Science, it will be helpful
to consider the nature of his teaching
and practice. Concerning that which
is real in this connection Mrs. Eddy
writes (Science and Health, p. 269):
"The testimony of the material senses
is neither absolute nor divine. there
fore plant myself unreservedly on the
teachings Of Jesus, of his apostles, Of
the prophets, and on the testimony Of
the Science of Mind" The mission of
Christ Jesus is best set forth in his
own words, "To this end was / born,
and for this cause came / into the
world, that / should bear witness unto
the truth" 1t remained for Mrs. Eddy
to interpret the spiritual meaning Of
this text and to show mortals how to
apply this truth in the destruction of
sin, disease, and death. This, indeed, is
the mission of the Christian Science
textbook, to set forth and explain the
words and works of the Master. 1t
does not attempt to teach new reli-
gious doctrine nor to improve and
change in any way the teachings of
Christ Jesus. 1t is spiritual search
light on the Scriptures, making plain
the spiritual import of the Masters
teachings and stressing the point that
HIS way 1S IIlC Olly way
With clear and convincing logic
Mrs. Eddy points out that the seeming
cause of all sickness is fear, ignor-
ance, or sin, and then she offers hui
mainly her demonstrable remedy,
Christian Science. This Science teaches
mortals how to overcome fear, ignor-
ance, and sin through an understand
ing Of infinite Love, Intelligence, and
law.
1t is important to note that the
healing which occurs under Christian
Science treatment is entirely different
in nature and quality from that Of any
other kind; it does not employ hypno-
tism, suggestion, or the human will
in any way. These agencies are d.
rectly opposed to the practice of Chris
tian Science, and Christian Science
frees the patient from their pernicious
! influence. 1t is also important to know
that while hynotism and suggestion
claim to heal physical ills regardless
of the moral status Of the patient, the
| Christian Science practitioner cannot
heal his patient without improving
him spiritually and morally. More
over, it imparts to the patient the
ability to preserve his own sense of
harmony through spiritual thinking
| and living.
The Practicability of the Bible
We owe everlasting gratitude to
| Christian Science for many things,
and among them is the fact that Mrs.
Eddy has given US method whereby
each one of US can prove that the
teachings of the Bible are in every
way practicable and disable in all the
affairs of everyday life.
It has been generally conceded that
If the teachings Of Christ Jesus were
practicable, the affairs of earth would
be very much improved. Whenever
this question arises the materialists
and so-called hard-headed, common
sense individuals dismiss it with the
statement that while these teachings
are beautiful and idealistic, they are
entirely impracticable, and that the
world must look to other sources for
the remedy for world evils. Concern
ing this, Mrs. Eddy writes on page 8
of her work entitled "Unity of Good" /:
GTha folaut O nd oenin1 Of tho coYfrr ies