The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-17

House, Home of Chr tion for righteousness sake been all too frequently one of its activities? What persecuted our Master, and why? Had not our Master been more spiritually minded than all others; had he not possessed 8 de- monstrable understanding of God, which seemed unca1ny to the the ologists of his day; had he not been inspired by self-abnegating desire to help humanity, utterly un- dreamed of by his fellow men; had he not been above the average, would he have been so persecuted?
 But this strange attitude of re- ligioniSts has not been confined to the early centuries. It has mani- fested itself in our time. Did it not do everything it knew how to do to prevent Mrs. Eddy's making known her discovery? Did it not later at tempt to obstruct the organization and progress of the Christian Sci- ence movement? And may it not be attempting at this moment to discourage the spiritual develop ment of individuals within the or ganization? Throught what channels does this phase of evil work? Fre- quently through bigotry or envy.
 Let us examine this subject in the light of Christian Science. When Mrs. Eddy established The Christian Science Monitor, she wrote. (Miscel- lany, p. 353), "The object of the Monitor is to injure no man, but to bless all mankind" Does not this give us more than a hint of what should be the life-purpose of every Christian Scientist? To help all and to harm no one. The Christian Sci enlist is, therefore, endeavoring to see man as he really is. In this he is following the example of our Master. What was Jesus view of man? Our textbook (Science and Health, p. 476) answers this ques- ton thus: "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man ap- pears to lnortals. In this perfect man the Savior saw Gods own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick" And it might with propriety be added "this cor rect view of man" healed the sim ner; also, "this correct view of man reised the dead. This is the concept of man, or the understanding of man, we are trying to gain.
 The Christian Scientist is learn ing to draw line of clear distinc- tion between good and evil, also be- tween evil and man. In the meas ure that he is able to perceive clearly that evil is not part of man. he finds that he can love men even while he condemns the evil they may have committed, and this love for man may free the wrongdoer, and prove to him that evil was never really 8 part of him.
 Whether, therefore, his neighbcr may be reputed to be very bad CT very good, 8 public enemy or a moral leader, the student of Chris tian Science recognizes that he has duty toward him, a duty which ne must fulfill. That duty is to think rightly about his neighbor at all times, to endeavor to see him as he really is; to love him, for love and love. alone "is' the fulfilling of the law" (
 Healing
 Luke tells us that on one occasion Jesus called his twelve disciples to- gether, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases" This does not mean that Jesus in some mysterious way be- slowed upon his disciples magic powers, but that he taught them what was necessary for them 10 know in order that they might be able to render this service to their fellow men. Again, Luke tells us that Jesus appointed other seventy also" and commanded them to "heal the sick" and we read later, "The seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through they name.
 If there were, by any chance, a tinge of unconscious vanity in that statement, Jesus swept 1t aside m his reply. Rejoice not, that the spirits are Subjecs unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" In other words. Rejoice not in your success, but rather rejoice in the omnipres- ence and omnipotence of God, which is the basis of healing. You may re- member, there came day when the disciples admitted. that the devils were not subject to them, but they were subject to Truth: to Jesus irn- personal realization that God, good, is the only cause and creator. Nei- ther the disciple of Jesus time nor the Christian Science practitioner cf today could logically take credit for healing unless he were at the same time willing to accept all blame for failure to real. The individual. whether disciple of old or practi- tioner of today, $ not the source ot healing; he is only the instrument: and his success in healing will de- pend upon -; Christlikeness
 upon his understanding of God, the Principle of all true being.
 Today Christian Science is teach ing us that 1t is our Glty not only to learn the truth about God ana His creation. but also to prove ou. understanding If Truth by meeting