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Show A Lecture On Christian Science ENTITLED Christian Science: The Science of Spiritual Causation By Hon. William E. Brown, C. S. B., of Los Angeles Member of the Board of Lectureship of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass. Let us rejoice together at the opportunity which is mine to-night, to bring you the Christian Science message of emancipation the way of escape from the house of bondage, from the slavery of materiality. Through the teaching and demonstration, demonstra-tion, of Christian Science we are beginning to understand the meaning of the words of Christ Jesus when he said to his disciples, "For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." It is my desire to present this subject sub-ject in the spirit of helpfulness and service to humanity; otherwise its presentation would be unnecessary. It is not my intention to appeal to mere faith or emotion, but rather to reason and logic. It has sometimes been said that Christian Science is difficult to understand and that some of its statements are far-fetched, but as we proceed I am sure you will think otherwise. Naturally, in the discussion of any exact science the logical thing to do is to consider first its premise, foundation, foun-dation, or principle; this, of course, in Christian Science is God, or to use Mrs. Eddy's oft-repeated and eloquently qualifying descriptive term, infinite Mind. The terms employed by Christian Science to define the nature of God, such as Mind and Principle, enable us to conceive of an infinite God and to enlarge the limiting sense of God as personal, a view which really prohibits pro-hibits a right understanding of God as omnipresent and omnipotent. The term personal, as generally used, includes in-cludes the conception of form or outline, out-line, and it is impossible to conceive of an infinite form or person. God then, or infinite Mind, is our starting point. With this premise before us, the first logical deduction is that God, infinite Mind, being the only Cause or Creator, the universe must be like its cause, mental. 1 would like to fix this basic fact firmly firm-ly in your consciousness, because when one grasps the fact that the universe is a thought universe, the rest of the road ds comparatively easy. My meaning is well illustrated in a statement made by Professor J. A. Fleming, who declares, "The physical phy-sical universe is a thought rather than a thing. At this juncture we are face to face with the chief stumblingblock which causes the materialist to say that while Christian Science can cure mental troubles it cannot cure physical phy-sical troubles. This is because he does not yet understand that man is (Continued on page 5) A Lecture On Chiistian Science (t'uiitimiud from first page) wholly a mental being; in other words, he nu'stakenly thinks that man is part mutter, a theory now largely discredited by eminent physicists. It is evident that since the universe Is wholly mental mankind is also wholly mental, and from this it will be seen that any agency which is truly remedial re-medial in one instance will be equally efficacious in every instance. Christian Science With the wonderful record of accomplishment ac-complishment left by Christ Jesus in overcoming sin, disease, and death, and all of their various ramifications, together with his assurance that all who truly understand and follow him will be indowed with his ability to do the same works, it was inevitable that someone would arise who would fulfill his requirements and would demonstrate how to duplicate his achievements. Such a one was Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, its Revelator to this age. This revelation came to her, as it lkl to PauJ, who decjared of the gospel preached by him, "For I neither nei-ther received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Herein Paul emphasized empha-sized the difference between mere in-tellectualism in-tellectualism and spiritual understanding, under-standing, and established the fact that revelation is superior to human reason. Christian Science may attract the attention of the wise and philosophical, philosophi-cal, but only the Christian can understand under-stand it. Here arises a most important impor-tant point: most of those who criticize critic-ize Christian Science are not really acquainted with it. Only the one who understands Christian Science and can demonstrate its teachings is competent to pass judgement on it. Christian Science comes to the world in the manner described by Paul, "not with excellency of speech or of wisdom wis-dom . . . but in demonstration of the Spirit and power." Healing Someone has wisely said that there is one best way to do everything, and this of course applies to healing as well as to all other activities. In all sincere efforts to achieve, mortals are constantly seeking for che perfect model, and there are found in all worth-while human undertakings authorities to whom they look for help and inspiration. So there is in Christian Science a perfect model, or authority, Christ Jesus, for whom the way of true healing may yet be learned. learn-ed. He never lost a case, and yet he knew absolutely nothing about the modern theories of germs, vaccines, or any of the modern medical so-called discoveries. Of his method, discovered dis-covered and re-established by Mary Baker Eddy, the following well-known well-known medical authorities have said: Dr. Richard Cabot, professor of i clinical medicine and professor of ' social ethics of Harvard University: "The good effects of Christian Science Sci-ence I see on all sides. I have not the slightest doubt that it does good, that it cures disease, organic as well as functional." Dr. Charles Hunter, associate prof-fessor prof-fessor of clinical medicine, University of Manitoba: "Christian Science has helped many persons suffering from diseases, which to the medical practitioner prac-titioner had defied diagnosis. . . . Christian Science, furthermore, has brought relief to individuals who were victims of organic disorder. Man Christian Science shows the unreality un-reality of all the so-called laws of the carnal mind; take, for instance, the so-called law of heridity. How we have been mesmerized by this illusion! How we have feared it; trembled berofe it, and yielded in abject ab-ject submission to an unholy and unnecessary un-necessary doom! Yet our guidebook to eternal Life has been telling us all the time that this supposed law is null and void. The eighteenth chapter chap-ter of Ezekiel says in the second and third verses, "What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and. the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel." Have we accepted the belief that normal life is limited to three score years and ten? Then we have the blessed privilege of repudiating to night this lying claim, and of rejoicing re-joicing that, through the understanding understand-ing given us by Christian Science, we have the ability to annihilate the claims of old age, decrepitude, and death, thus to establish the fact thai we are indeed the sons of God. The mission of Christian Science was aptly defined by a street car motorman, whose car stopped in front of a large auditorium where a Christian Science lecture was about to be given. A passenger asked him where all of the people were going, and he replied that they were going to a Christian Science lecture. The passenger said, " What is Christian Science " And the motorman replied, "Christian Science is telling people who they are." Bible The world has longed for an infal- liable guide; for a universal measure of rectitude, and how the Christian Scientist rejoices that he has learned how to utilize the Bible through the light which Christian. Science sheds upon it. Through misinterpretation and misunderstanding the Bible has been largely discredited as a practical prac-tical guide in the affairs of life, but has now been restored to humanity with the Key, Science and Health, which makes its teachings of prac' tical service. Humanity Goal In the rush of everyday activities it will be helpful to pause occasionally occasion-ally and ask ourselves whence and whither. In this mad rush for commercial com-mercial success and achievement we are apt to lose sight of the real purpose pur-pose in life. In answer to the fundamental fun-damental question, What am I ? which is ever demanding an answer, Mrs. Eddy gives us this scientific response, "I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing" (Miscellany, p. 165). It is a helpful sign to realize that the great commercial leaders are beginning be-ginning to recognize that business and commerce are but means to an end the attainment of human happi, ness; for the tendency of business activity in the past has been to consider con-sider the successful achievement of great projects the all-important thing, and the individuals connected therewith, cogs in the wheels to be replaced when useless, even as the Pyramids of Egypt overshadowed their builders. This materialistic supremacy loses j sight of the spiritual fact of man made in the image and likeness of God, who was given dominion over all. Through the revelation and practice of Christian Science this condition of bondage is being reversed rever-sed and man is regaining his dominion, domin-ion, and in so doing is bringing blessings bless-ings to all creation. This great desideratum is being brought into the experience of men through the realization real-ization of the fact of spiritual being, and this realization is being established establi-shed through love. Mrs. Eddy While I was lecturing in England, a gentleman who introduced me at one of the lectures, in speaking of the happy relation existing between England and America, made gracious and loving reference to Mrs. Eddy's achievement thus: It was England who gave the world the King James Version of the . Bible but it was America who gave it the Key. As to Mrs. Eddy's discovery concerning con-cerning the mental cause and cure of disease, it may be said that a tree is known by its fruits. Religion is also adding its testimony testi-mony through the report of a committee com-mittee to the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, which declared, "Christian healing has been passed beyond the stage of experiment ' and its value cannot be questioned." The conclusions of this committee were drawn after six years of study, and the report asks the General Conventon to "thankfully recognize the deepening of the spiritual spirit-ual life of the church w-hich has come through the growing recognition of the healing power of God." Go home to-night with the conviction convic-tion that in truth you are now a perfect per-fect child of God, and that through the revelation of Christian Science you will be enabled to prove it by manifesting better health, higher standards, and increased prosperity. Do not forget that if you so desire, it is possible to attain and enjoy these wonderful blessings in this present pre-sent time. It is for you to decide. In this endeavor do not be side- tracked by arguments of the carnal mind; do not waste any time as to how your misfortunes may have come about. Rejoice in the. fact that there is now available a demonstrable Science Sci-ence which will meet your every need. "I call heaven and earth to recorl this day against you, that I have set " before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." |
