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"And
they that shall be of thee shall build the old
waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations
of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The
repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to
dwell in."
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Volume 2, Number 2
What is the role of the Christian Scientist in this new, decisive decade? Christian Scientists regard Christian Science as "the Comforter" which fulfills the prophecies of Christ Jesus in connection with his Second Coming. Mary Baker Eddy accepted the Master's prophecies as relating to these times. She clarified and focused these prophecies according to the advanced conditions of the twentieth century. Thus, the "Comforter" she brought to this age is the gospel of Christ Jesus "reduced to a system, to a form comprehensible by and adapted to the thought of the age in which we live." (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, page146) "In conscience," she writes, "we cannot hold to beliefs outgrown. . ." (Ibid., page 28). The disciples of Christ Jesus in the days before he left them were interested in what their part was to be at the time of his return. Matthew (24:3-14) tells us: "And as [Jesus] sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy [Second] coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Although Jesus was addressing his disciples in private, he was speaking to our time. Therefore it falls on Christian Scientists to understand his message and take the appropriate action. In Revelation, chapter 12, we read: "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. ... And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: ..." As to the manner of fulfillment of this Scriptural prophecy of "a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron," Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (page 565): "... Christ, God's idea, will eventually rule all nations and peoples — imperatively, absolutely, finally — with divine Science." As is clear here, Mrs. Eddy substitutes the words "divine Science" in the place of the "rod of iron." The "divine Science" with which Christ is to "rule all nations and peoples — imperatively, absolutely, finally" is the same as the "gospel of the kingdom" quoted above from Matthew. (24:14) It is not the "gospel" being preached today based on variant doctrines formulated in the middle ages. Christ is to rule all nations "with divine Science," the "rod of iron," with a single standard established by the authority of Christ. Without this specific "divine Science" he cannot rule, or fulfill prophecy. Then what constitutes "divine Science"? Clearly, it has to be Christian Science as taught by Mary Baker Eddy, the "Woman" of prophecy. It is only as individual Christian Scientists adhere strictly to this single standard, that the saving gospel of Christ will be available to all nations as a means of salvation from all the trials of the end time. Any variant or divergence from the standard taught by Mrs. Eddy in her Massachusetts Metaphysical College classes from 1881 to 1898 will not qualify. A true Science must have a Principle and fixed rules and a system by which the rules can be demonstrated. It can have no variant interpretation or divergence and remain a science. OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE TEACHING? If so, of what importance is it for Christian Scientists to be informed on the subject? Is there any benefit, or harm, in having two schools? What was, or would be, Mrs. Eddy's thought and desire today? Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health, "Is there more than one school of Christian Science? Christian Science is demonstrable. There can, therefore, be but one method in its teaching." (page 112:3) BECOME ENTRENCHED IN THE CHURCH'S TEACHING SYSTEM? In The Years of Authority, by Robert Peel, official biographer of Mary Baker Eddy for The Mother Church, and historian of the Christian Science Movement, it is stated (page 252): "She herself would not always be present personally to make even-handed choice of competent Christian Scientists for that office [teacher ... to conduct a Normal class for the Board of Education or] to keep any particular emphasis or interpretation of Christian Science from entrenching itself in the church's teaching system." Is not this an admission that the church's teaching system is fallible; that it is susceptible of variants and divergences, and that it could become dominated by an "interpretation" different from Mrs. Eddy's with few Christian Scientists being aware of it? Mr. Peel also states on the preceding page (251): "…her choice for teacher [of the Normal class in the Board of Education] in 1907 was Hanna and for the next class Kimball. By these two choices she showed her continued and impartial support of each of the two men and struck a blow at the tendency in some quarters to speak of two variant 'schools' of Christian Science teaching (sometimes known as the Boston school and the Chicago school) of which Hanna and Kimball were presumed to be the chief representatives." Here Peel implies that Mrs. Eddy considered the teachings of both men to be equal. In The Years of Authority, Mr. Peel writes: "Rumors had been stirring [at the turn of the century] as to the nature of Kimball's teaching, together with suggestions that he considered it to be metaphysically in advance of Mrs. Eddy's own — a suggestion which he repudiated ... Two months later he wrote Mrs. Eddy of the opposition of some of the older teachers to the new ones who had come out from his classes." On the same page Peel writes: "Reports that Kimball's pupils considered themselves superior to hers continued to come from some of her old students, but she seems not to have taken them very seriously. However, the situation did point to the danger of having different interpretations of Christian Science develop ..." (page 249) Mrs. Eddy did take these reports seriously, and acted on them in a judicious manner in order to avoid division. In his book, Mrs. Eddy, Hugh A. Studert Kennedy writes: "Even the impeccable Edward Kimball, writing to Judge Septimus Hanna as late as November 29, 1907, lamented that there were those prominent enough to command the Leader's ear who were beating a constant pathway to her door to carry the evil insinuation that his teaching was wrong in order to discredit him in her eyes and thus dispose of an interloper. How could anyone, however great, be wholly unmoved by the constant stream of provocative reports, unrelieved by any counteracting statements? That Mrs. Eddy did as well as she did is surely to her everlasting credit." (page 387) MRS. EDDY'S PUPILS? To answer this question, let us consider the report of a Kimball teacher to his students' association as late as 1939. This teacher studied in the 1900 and 1901 Normal classes in the Board of Education. He was prominent in the movement. He stated in his annual students' association report for 1939 that their particular "teaching was in reality our Leader's last gift to the teaching branch of our movement and was given through her chosen student, Edward A. Kimball, because she could not leave her pressing duties and give the instruction herself. She specially taught Mr. Kimball to present Christian Science more exactly, scientifically, spiritually." (From a photocopy of the report with signature of the teacher. This report had wide private circulation.) Does this not imply that all who studied with Mrs. Eddy from 1881 to 1898 at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College were taught Christian Science less exactly, scientifically, spiritually than Mr. Kimball's students beginning with his first Normal class in January 1899, — less than two months after Mrs. Eddy's last class in November 1898? THE BOSTON AND CHICAGO SCHOOLS OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE TEACHING? POINTS OF DIFFERENCE Part I According to the official history of Christian Science, The Years of Authority by Robert Peel, "Hanna and Kimball [are] presumed to be the chief representatives of the 'two schools of Christian Science teaching.'" To touch on points of difference we refer to the book, Lectures and Articles on Christian Science, by Edward A. Kimball. On page 489 (1938 edition) is an extract of a letter written to Judge Hanna, November 29, 1907 (the week prior to the opening of the Normal class which Hanna taught). In this letter to Hanna Mr. Kimball gives a brief explanation to support certain points in his teaching which had been criticized by students of Mrs. Eddy's teaching. The following appears to be a fundamental tenet of the Chicago school: "A lie is always necessarily a lie about the truth. Hence the material tree and the material body are not such but are lies about the real tree and the real body, — the one body. Followed to the end it appears that every normal thing in matter is a lie about a spiritual fact or idea and the spiritual is all right. As Mrs. Eddy also said, 'Perfect in God.' ... Every idea is perfect, the idea of which liver is a false concept is perfect, in Good, or finally getting down to an immediate offset, 'I have a perfect liver in God.'" THE BOSTON SCHOOL Judge Hanna, who was appointed by Mrs. Eddy to the office of Vice-President of the College in 1899, to succeed her as President at her passing, disagreed (as did others) with Kimball's interpretation and regarded these views of connecting or linking matter with Spirit, or reality, as unscientific and contrary to any teaching by Mrs. Eddy. He [Judge Hanna] wrote a student under date of September 17, 1917, as follows: "... If we look at the absolute, entirely ignoring the human or relative, and pursue that method we might say there never was a human Jesus, nor a human Mrs. Eddy, nor a human you nor I. We might say there is no sin, no sickness, no death, no discord, no inharmony, etc. This we do say in our mental work, but we say it only in thought if we are discreet. To do this in the secret chamber is one thing, and to proclaim it broadcast to an unready world is another. And this is where Mrs. Eddy's wisdom shines most brilliantly. She carefully studded her absolute statements with relative explanation and distinctly enjoined her students to do so. She often enjoined me in that way when I was editor of the periodicals. One of her admonitions is entitled 'A Correction' and reported in Miscellany, page 217. Note what Mrs. Eddy says about 'improved beliefs.' "What are the qualities of the 'second degree' (page 115 of Science and Health) but human qualities, amounting to improved human beliefs? And although Mrs. Eddy groups them under the general head of mortal mind, she distinctly separates them from the qualities of the 'first degree.' These she classifies as 'depraved.' She even classifies the 'third degree' under the general head of mortal mind, notwithstanding the qualities of that degree are 'spiritual.' She explains, however, that in the 'third degree' mortal mind disappears. She evidently makes this general classification to keep the distinction clear between immortal Mind and all which is not equal to it. Nevertheless she clearly shows the different degrees of what she has classified as mortal mind. "While there is no connection whatever between the qualities of the 'first degree' and the 'second,' there is a basis in the 'second degree' for building spiritual truth, or the qualities of the 'third degree.' Otherwise, there would have been no possibility of Jesus becoming a 'life-link' between the human and the divine, and no place for a way-shower or a mediator. We must not fly so high that we lose sight of the plain teaching of the Bible and our textbook, not flatter ourselves that we can restate or redefine Mrs. Eddy's writings so as to make them clearer than she made them. Would you be warranted in substituting other writings for hers? Let us be careful on this point, for there is at present a strong inclination to take the periodicals and study them in lieu of our Leader's writings, and even make them the basis of healing work. Mrs. Eddy was the one to explain Christian Science, and error's attempt to put her writings comparatively in the background should be a sufficient warning to make us careful along this line. It is much more important to spend our time in sincere effort to spiritualize our thought so that we shall be able to live right lives and do the works we are called upon to do. "Evil is not a lie about anything for it never existed as a thing. It has no entity whatever. Surely no thing can be a lie about something, for that which does not exist cannot lie or do anything else. Hence if Mr. Dixon cannot stand on his absolute premises he will have to abandon or repudiate his oft-repeated assertion that a lie is always a lie about something. It is only on the relative side which he so sweepingly ignores. Relatively evil exists as a claim, but what is such existence? Surely not the Truth. Jesus said the devil was a liar and the father of it. The only Father — Truth — is not its father because there is no connection between a lie and Truth. If a statement is made which has no basis in truth there is no relation between that statement and the truth. Therefore, is it in any true sense (even humanly) a lie about the truth? Is not Jesus' classification of a lie equivalent to saying that it is nothing, no thing? How then can it be related to Truth? The only possible sense in which a lie can be said to be related to truth is that a lie may be believed to be true by one not knowing any better, but does that make it a lie about the truth? If so, how? It could not be a lie about the truth unless it could in some way be considered with the truth. How could one go about making such a connection? If I were to tell you that I rode a horse yesterday when the truth is I have not been astride a horse for forty years, would that be telling you a lie about anything that ever occurred? It would simply be telling a lie about a lie, would it not? Such lies can be told in millions of ways for millions of years, but that would not make them true. Therefore from no possible point of view is it correct to say that a lie is always a lie about something. Hence I repeat that absolutely it is not possible to lie about Truth, and relatively it is not possible to talk about evil at all without telling a lie about a lie." DEMANDS THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO TEACHINGS The most important issue in the world today is that of fulfilling the prophecy of Christ Jesus that his "gospel of the kingdom [should] be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24:14) Consequently, additional points of difference between the "two schools of Christian Science teaching" will be discussed in future issues of the Standard. How will the discrepancy between the two schools of Christian Science teaching be resolved? Will "the teaching system of The Mother Church (where 'any particular emphasis or interpretation' of Christian Science can become entrenched;" Cf. Peel page 252) resolve it? No. Mrs. Eddy has provided that at some point in time subsequent to her lifetime "organization should be laid off." (See Retrospection and Introspection 44:17-10; Miscellaneous Writings 358:30-4; 359:12; Miscellany 342:19-32) At some point in time the promotion and extension of Christian Science must rest with the individual student and not with the organization. Must not this be the case if we are to fulfill the Bible prophecy: "...After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest..." (Jer. 31:33, 34) Jesus says: "I am come to send fire on the earth." (Luke 12:49) And the writer to the Hebrews states: "God is a consuming fire." Quoting these words Mrs. Eddy states: "God is a consuming fire. He separates the dross from the gold, purifies the human character, through the furnace of affliction." (Miscellaneous Writings 151:6-8) Christian Science is concerned with separating the dross from the gold and matter from Spirit, and this furnace of affliction is a warfare with the world, the flesh, and the devil. It appears that the Chicago School has for a tenet, — "a lie is always necessarily a lie about the truth" — thereby linking matter with Spirit and the resulting effort toward present human satisfaction as stated in a previous issue of the Standard (July 1, 1990, page 4) quoting the words of Bicknell Young. Before Jesus was crucified, he told his followers to take up the cross and follow him. What could he have meant by this command, if he intended for them to enjoy humanly pleasant lives, free from the trials awaiting those earnestly seeking the kingdom of heaven? Our earthly successes and benefits follow as we take up the cross. Jesus told his followers that "all these things shall be added unto you." They have their part in the process, but they are not the goal. This belief in earthly satisfaction is opposed to the goal established by Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy, which is the attainment of the kingdom of heaven through taking up the cross and scientific translation. We are to be involved in a warfare with the world, the flesh and the devil, and to work out our salvation. BETWEEN THE TWO SCHOOLS The following are timely illustrations of the shift in Christian Science doctrine as evidenced in official church publications. In The Christian Science Journal of January 1970, page 41, we are given a statement from The Christian Science Board of Directors on the subject of pacifism. It reads as follows: — "A Statement on Pacifism "The Church of Christ, Scientist, is deeply committed to the establishment of peace on earth and to unceasing search for pacific methods of settling national differences. It is not a pacifist church, however, as the term is applied to such religious bodies as the Quakers and the Mennonites. It does not enjoin on its members either support of or opposition to military action as an instrument of national policy. "This does not mean that it is indifferent to the moral issues of war and peace. Its Founder, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany (page 278), 'War is in itself an evil, barbarous, devilish.' But she indicates in related passages that it may sometimes be the lesser of two evils and that armaments may be necessary for the prevention of war and the preservation of peace. "Christian Scientists are expected to fulfill the duties of responsible citizenship either through accepting military service in combatant or noncombatant status, or through choosing the alternative civilian service provided for those whose conscience will not allow them to serve under arms. The church includes within its membership both professional military personnel and committed pacifists. While differing in their views of temporary means and necessities, all Christian Scientists are committed to the increasing establishment of the kingdom of heaven on earth through prayer, spiritualization of thought, Christianization of motive, and elimination of those elements of the carnal mind which cause and constitute war. The healing of the nations is no less imperative a demand than the healing of individuals." Notice the change in doctrine as to "pacifism" when compared with the doctrine as stated in the early years of Christian Science. A Sentinel editorial in 1918 (eight years after the departure of Mrs. Eddy), titled "Pacifism Analyzed" gives us the Christian Science view and official church doctrine concerning "pacifism" as held at that time. It should be noted also that at that time no editorial was published until it had first been approved by The Christian Science Board of Directors. "A false peace is to the nations like a falling star to a traveler seeking a guiding light. The real pacification of the world can only be accomplished by following the true star of divine Science, the light of the world which points to Principle. Pacifism may be defined as fear of war. It may be argued that war is savage, the pastime of the bloodthirsty, and by advocating peace may pose as being above war and the custodian of high ideals. Yet this state of mind does not heal the world's woes, but rather makes a covering for the perpetration of further crimes upon humanity by ruthless exploiters of the weak. "Pacifism seeks ease, but finds disease; dreads to hurt, but by inaction produces a worse hurt. Under the pretense of maintaining the brotherhood of man it keeps the door open for the unscrupulous to incite fratricidal wars. Proselyting pacifism, quite unexpectedly to its own believers, breaks the way for the propaganda of hate to insinuate itself unobserved among the innocent. The pacifist with the desire of being a peace-maker practically becomes a peace-breaker. On page 233 of 'The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany,' Mrs. Eddy writes: 'The Scriptures say, "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14), thus taking the name of God in vain. Ignorance of self is the most stubborn belief to overcome, for apathy, dishonesty, sin, follow in its train.' "An outward peace may mask a mental volcano. The habit of smoothing over difficulties instead of correcting errors leaves a smoldering fire to smudge up the atmosphere and thus darken the whole situation. Better the flashes of fire which refine and eventually make for perfect peace than the unconfessed and hidden hate and grievance which poison the system. God requires us to work for the world, to battle for the freedom of the universal brother, not to sit at ease and look on with indifference at the slaughter of defenseless women and children. Jesus said, 'Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword.' The sword of Spirit is two-edged, — when it goes forward it destroys conspicuous error, and in returning clears away any subtle, lurking error. The swing of the two-edged sword cuts both ways. The sword of demonstration is mightier than the pen which writes down mere doctrine, but the pen that is used powerfully to waken consciousness out of its selfish stupor is an instrument of God. Then the pen and the sword become one in purpose and power. "True heroism, courage, and self-sacrifice are expressed in deeds, not in mere words. The mask of pacifism is torn off by the right instinct of those who hold liberty more sacred than their own skins. The excuses of drowsy pacifism against meeting the enemy cannot becloud a nation's mentality with a mesmeric mist when Christian Scientists courageously handle error as they have been taught by their Leader. When national honor is threatened and the attempt is made to deprive the people of liberty it is rendering a poor service indeed to call war a calamity. What would we have today had not our forefathers paved the way for liberty? A greater liberty is to come whereby peace will be permanently established in the hearts of mankind by the understanding that death has no sting and Life is God. The belief of life in matter will no longer be idolized by the votaries of a false peace, and the love of ease will no longer act as a betraying Judas. In the book of Job we are given a very simple recipe for peace: 'Acquaint now thyself with him [God], and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.' "Experience proves that the sentimental outpourings of pacifism do not help to end wars, but rather tend to hinder a nation's wholehearted support of the brave soldiers who have taken the field. When the issue is clear between Principle and materialism the whole armor of God should be donned. There should be no flinching, no hesitating, but the banner of Love floating high above the fumes of hate should be carried joyfully to victory. In due time the eagle of righteous warfare will make way for the dove of peace. If the counsel of pacifism were followed, the dove would precede the eagle and thus be foully slain by the arrows of the enemy before its blessed mission could be accomplished. "God is the power which strengthens the ranks, lifts the fallen braves, gives the blessings of self-conquest, and brings the kingdom of heaven on earth. He holds the universe in the hollow of His hand and governs man. A peace of human contriving actuated by fear or self-interest is a bad peace, but when humanity has learned to let the outlining of good peace be traced to the Eternal One war will be no more. As Mrs. Eddy has stated on page 204 of 'Miscellaneous Writings': 'When the good fight is fought, error yields up its weapons and kisses the feet of Love, while white-winged peace sings to the heart a song of angels.'" 1969 In The Christian Science Journal of July 1969, page 376, a statement from The Christian Science Board of Directors reads in part: "Statement on Conscience and National Service "Many countries conscript citizens for a period of national service. The draft laws of a number of these countries recognize that the individual's conscience and religious convictions play a determining part in his response to this obligation. Accordingly, these laws provide several ways by which the citizen can fulfill his service. The three most prevalent are:
(a)
he can be ordered to armed combatant training and
duty in the armed forces; or "The Church of Christ, Scientist, respects the right of each member or adherent to request any of the classifications provided in the laws of his country and to reach his own decision according to his highest sense of right and the dictates of his conscience. It does not tell him which course to follow, but strongly encourages him to seek God's guidance through prayer and through study of the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. "Individual Christian Scientists have had each of the classifications described above granted to them by the appropriate government agencies. A man seeking any one of these classifications will encounter certain procedures and requirements that specifically concern him as a Christian Scientist. The Christian Scientist who is facing his national service obligation should obtain current and accurate information about each classification well before he reaches the age for registering. …" Prior to World War II, the Directors issued a statement in the Sentinel of January 4, 1941 in part as follows: "Questions are asked as to whether religious reasons may be used for exemption from the draft. It should be said that a Christian Scientist could not claim exemption as a conscientious objector without misrepresenting Christian Science, for in the Church Tenets or platform of the Christian Science church no specific reference is made to participation in war or for training therefor. On the other hand, Mrs. Eddy says on page 277 of Miscellany, 'But if our nation's rights or honor were seized, every citizen would be a soldier and woman would be armed with power girt for the hour.' ..." In the Christian Science Sentinel of July 14, 1917, a statement by "The Christian Science Board of Directors" reads in part: "In connection with the recent registration of those subject to military service in the United States, it is learned that in a considerable number of cases Christian Scientists have claimed exemption in three ways: (1) as practitioners; (2) as readers; (3) as conscientious objectors. The question of enlistment seems to be so very personal and individual that it must be worked out by each one on the basis of his own demonstration, but in view of the approaching draft and in response to many inquiries it is believed that the following analysis of the Military Service Act may be helpful to those concerned. ... "It should be said also that a Christian Scientist could not claim exemption as a conscientious objector, without misrepresenting Christian Science, for in the church tenets or platform of the Christian Science church no specific reference is made to participation in war. ... A Christian Scientist is a true patriot because he is learning what patriotism is, and his real helpfulness to his country and to his fellow men of all nations increases in proportion to his understanding of Christian Science. Speaking on this subject our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, tells us (Miscellany, p. 277), 'But if our nation's rights or honor were seized, every citizen would be a soldier and woman would be armed with power girt for the hour.'" In 1917, the week following the Directors' statement regarding military service, an editorial appeared in the Sentinel showing us the attitude of the Christian Scientist during Mrs. Eddy's time. "Drafting for service becomes necessary when humanity lacks sufficient inspiration to volunteer. It becomes advisable when certain elements of the population are eager to have others serve at the front while they themselves remain in safety behind the lines. A desire to preserve self while others sacrifice self ultimates in spiritual death, but Christian Science can save the victims of this would-be mental assassination. "Drafting under these circumstances, therefore, amounts to a human contrivance for bringing the recalcitrant and traitorous, as well as the ignorant desirous of ease in the flesh, from under cover and forcing them to march with the righteous until the lesson of loyalty and fidelity to Truth is learned. More than this, drafting operates to detach those who are really willing to volunteer from the aggressive mental malpractice which seeks to make them unwilling. Mrs. Eddy on page 158 of 'Miscellaneous Writings' exhorts her followers in these words: 'All God's servants are minute men and women.' In her Message of 1901 she writes: 'The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen sin, disease and death, and he overcomes them through Christ, Truth, teaching him that they cannot overcome us. The resistance to Christian Science weakens in proportion as one understands it and demonstrates the Science of Christianity' (page 15). "God drafts His own thus detaching them from the ties of the flesh. It is necessary for man inwardly to volunteer as a soldier of God, though God has already selected the real man from the beginning as His child who is exempt from sin, disease, and death. This man of God fears no floods, no fire, no gas, nor any of the various forms of destruction invented by the boasted efficiency of mortal mind. The soldier who carries with him the understanding of God's man can no more be touched by explosive or poison than the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, or Daniel in the lions' den, David facing the highest efficiency of the art of metallurgy of his day in the sword of Goliath, or Paul protecting himself from the viper's sting could suffer harm. "Furthermore, the soldier who is drafted into service and is guided by the divine Mind is protected against all arguments of mortal mind impurity, whether it be in water, in earth, or of the flesh. The greatest temptation, apparently innocently put, can be uncovered by Principle, which is Mind. Thence springs the intelligence needed to penetrate the mask of hypocrisy, subtlety, and even the seeming sublimity of earthly bliss. A sweet morsel may have in its center the worst form of diabolism, but Christian Science enables the soldier of God to reverse the so-called poisonous action of ignorant or malicious evil intent. A victory won over self is equivalent to the glad progress of climbing the mount of transfiguration. "'God is no respecter of persons,' and drafting the available material of a nation has this advantage, that it follows in a measure the divine method. Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt and across the desert found volunteering humanly inadequate, and the Ten Commandments arose from necessity. When the Israelites settled in the land of Canaan they were not spiritually advanced enough to take possession and govern themselves on a voluntary plan, 'preferring one another' under the divine Mind, and so a whole body of religious and social law was supplied to them. Nevertheless, although even today humanity clamors for rules and regulations and needs to be drafted in order to do its duty, the time is coming under the teaching of Christian Science when each individual, community, or nation will have learned the supreme lesson of volunteering to do right. In that day the head of a nation will express a national want and eager hands will furnish the necessary supply; labor, thought, money and service will flow into the open treasury. "Today God is drafting the nations into his final warfare against evil. He is taking them under His protection, away from the manipulation of pretended and pretentious powers which have arrogated to themselves the control of the world. In the words of 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic,' —
He
has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call
retreat;
The
above illustrations show the changes in doctrine
that have taken place from Mrs. Eddy's time to the
present. |
