In Christian Science the fact is made obvious that the sinner and the sin are alike simply nothingness; and this view is supported by the Scripture, where the Psalmist saith:  “He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.  Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.”  God’s ways and works and thoughts have never changed, either in Principle or practice.

Since there is in belief an illusion termed sin, which must be met and mastered, we classify sin, sickness, and death as illusions.  They are supposititious claims of error; and error being a false claim, they are no claims at all.  It is scientific to abide in conscious harmony, in health-giving, deathless Truth and Love.  To do this, mortals must first open their eyes to all the illusive forms, methods, and subtlety of error, in order that the illusion, error, may be destroyed; if this is not done, mortals will become the victims of error.

If evangelical churches refuse fellowship with the Church of Christ, Scientist, or with Christian Science, they must rest their opinions of Truth and Love on the evidences of the physical senses, rather than on the teaching and practice of Jesus, or the works of the Spirit.

Ritualism and dogma lead to self-righteousness and bigotry, which freeze out the spiritual element.  Pharisaism killeth; Spirit giveth Life.  The odors of persecution, tobacco, and alcohol are not the sweet-smelling savor of Truth and Love.  Feasting the senses, gratification of appetite and passion, have no warrant in the gospel or the Decalogue.  Mortals must take up the cross if they would follow Christ, and worship the Father “in spirit and in truth.”

The Jewish religion was not spiritual; hence Jesus denounced it.  If the religion of to-day is constituted of such elements as of old ruled Christ out of the synagogues, it will continue to avoid whatever follows the example of our Lord and prefers Christ to creed.  Christian Science is the pure evangelic truth.  It accords with the trend and tenor of Christ’s teaching and example, while it demonstrates the power of Christ as taught in the four Gospels.  Truth, casting out evils and healing the sick; Love, fulfilling the law and keeping man unspotted from the world,—­these practical manifestations of Christianity constitute the only evangelism, and they need no creed.

As well expect to determine, without a telescope, the magnitude and distance of the stars, as to expect to obtain health, harmony, and holiness through an unspiritual and unhealing religion.  Christianity reveals God as ever-present Truth and Love, to be utilized in healing the sick, in casting out error, in raising the dead.

Christian Science gives vitality to religion, which is no longer buried in materiality.  It raises men from a material sense into the spiritual understanding and scientific demonstration of God.

THE HUMAN CONCEPT