St. Paul said to the Athenians, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.”  This statement is in substance identical with my own:  “There is no life, truth, substance, nor intelligence in matter.”  It is quite clear that as yet this grandest verity has not been fully demonstrated, but it is nevertheless true.  If Christian Science reiterates St. Paul’s teaching, we, as Christian Scientists, should give to the world convincing proof of the validity of this scientific statement of being.  Having perceived, in advance of others, this scientific fact, we owe to ourselves and to the world a struggle for its demonstration.

At some period and in some way the conclusion must be met that whatsoever seems true, and yet contradicts divine Science and St. Paul’s text, must be and is false; and that whatsoever seems to be good, and yet errs, though acknowledging the true way, is really evil.

As dross is separated from gold, so Christ’s baptism of fire, his purification through suffering, consumes whatsoever is of sin.  Therefore this purgation of divine mercy, destroying all error, leaves no flesh, no matter, to the mental consciousness.

When all fleshly belief is annihilated, and every spot and blemish on the disk of consciousness is removed, then, and not till then, will immortal Truth be found true, and scientific teaching, preaching, and practice be essentially one.  “Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth ... for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans xiv. 22, 23.)

There is no “lo here! or lo there!” in divine Science; its manifestation must be “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever,” since Science is eternally one, and unchanging, in Principle, rule, and demonstration.

I am persuaded that only by the modesty and distinguishing affection illustrated in Jesus’ career, can Christian Scientists aid the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on the earth.  In the first century of the Christian era Jesus’ teachings bore much fruit, and the Father was glorified therein.  In this period and the forthcoming centuries, watered by dews of divine Science, this “tree of life” will blossom into greater freedom, and its leaves will be “for the healing of the nations.”

    Ask God to give thee skill
        In comfort’s art: 
    That thou may’st consecrated be
        And set apart
      Unto a life of sympathy. 
    For heavy is the weight of ill
        In every heart;
    And comforters are needed much
        Of Christlike touch.

—­A.E.  HAMILTON.

THE PLIMPTON PRESS

NORWOOD MASS USA

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote A:  See Page 311, Lines 12 to 17, “The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany.”]

[Footnote B:  This statement appears to be based upon the Annual Report of the Secretary of The Christian Scientist Association, read at its meeting, January 15, 1880, in which June is named as the month in which the charter for The Mother Church was obtained, instead of August 23, 1879, the correct date.]