The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-28

ana WOrkeT. WorklnR Oub AoF sleE" self the question of health and the question of supply, Mrs. Eddy used the teaching and example of Jesus of Nazareth and the works and words of the outstanding charac- ters of the Bible. In her own writ ings she has given full credit to the Bible and to Christ Jesus for her awakening to the discernment and use of ever-preserlt good.
 The Christian Science Textbook
 Because of her desire to lead others to the revelation and unfold- ment that had come to her concern ing God and His available power, Mrs. Eddy saw the need of per- manent statement of her discovery. Accordingly, there appeared, as e result of her labors, the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" This book has brought to It's readers and students Q practicable and un- derstanable concept of God and of Christ Jesus that is enabling men and women to rise quickly and per- nanontly above the errors and pains of the flesh, and the burdens of poverty and sin. This message Is enabling the followers of Christian Science to perceive the true value of the Holy Scriptures, and Is making of them able readers of the Bible, The textbook of Christian Science is a real boon to earnest Christians striving to find In the Bible irre- futable evidence of God, enabling the Bible reader to perceive quickly the spiritual import and Intent of the Biblical text. Briefly put, thls spiritual Interpretation of the Bible reveals always In the Biblical text the goodness, the perfection, the almightiness of God as Love.
 The Christian Science textbook is SO often quoted and referred to by Christian Scientists that the out sider may sometimes wonder Wheth- or or not this book takes the place of the Bible in the study and read- ing of Christian Scientists. Most aesurediy 1t docs not, and it's chief value to tlie Christian Scientist Is that 1t interprets tho Bible and re- veals it in e true spiritual light that makes 1t understandable and usable In Q practical way In everyday life.
 To the stranger, the first reading of the textbook may present dlffi- cultleS. The conclusions therein may upset many cherished beliefs con- corning the permanence of matter and material life. There may also Do recommended heights in think ing and living which the average person Is not ready or willing 10 embrace. A continued and intelli- gent reading of the book, however, usually results in an awakening of tho readers thoughts to c pleasur" Rble and desirable contemplation of Q higher standard of thinking and living. Reading the book generally has the effect of testing the readers thought as to whether or not he is willing and ready to ospouse Q higher standard of living. Whothtr, therefore, the reader agrees with the textbook or not, at any rate he IS benefited by the vision of c higher state of living, regardless of It's ac. ceptance or acceptance.
 Correct spiritual interpretation of the Bible reveals that God Is prop eriy defined and described as Love, Life, Truth. Soul, Mind, Spirit, Principle. Any ono of these sym onyms, or oil Of them studied and pondered, will bring to human con- sclousness c concept that is flaw less, lovable, beautiful, exalting in It's satisfaction. Such a concept of God must Do had before mankind can be truly obedient to the com- mand to love God. one could scarcely be expected to love and honor c wicked deity, or an unln- telligent deity, or on unreliable deity, or an unknown deity.
 Christ Jesus, in his ministry Hs well as in his words, taught tho perfection of man, even to claim Ing his perfect likeness to tho 1ra- ther, God. Jesus well-known state- ment, "Be 70 therefore perfect, even aS your Father which Is In heaven Is perfect" Is held in Christian Science to Do mandatory. The MaS- ter's conclusion leaves no inter- mediate position, or lesser concept of man than the perfect. There Is therefore nothing radical or revolu- tionary In considering in ones every thought the concept of perfect man, Such c concept Is authorized by the familiar words in the first chapter of Genesis, that God created man in His won image and likeness.
 This religion adopts with boldneSS the authoritative manner of Christ Jesus in teaching and claiming tho perfect. In harmony, then, with Jesus words and works, the ChriD- tan Science textbook says (science and Health, ?. 476): Man B spirit. tial and perfect. Man Is Idea; he iS not physique. He Is the com pound idea of God, including oil right Ideas; that which has not q single quality underived from Deity" This concept of man, traiiS- lated Into our daily thought and lives, lifts the human consciousness from tho physical to the spiritual, from the discordant to the harifio- nlouS, from the fearful to the conn. dent, from the imperfect to the perfect
 Adhering to this perfect concept of man, it Is not strange or unbc- ilovabio that, holding such 6 con- cept Of man, the great Master was ablo to do the healing works that 70 filled his ministry. With such c foundation, one nood not marvel that this worker was able to speak as one having authority, and thero- by cast out devils or evil beliefs, and bring men to a knowledge of their real nature and being as sons Of God. Jesus mission and purpose was, as evidenced by his works, tc bring human consciousness to Q realization of what man truly iS aa the son of God. Ills work was tc ayn,iaa. awaken. and to inform n1aFl