Christian Science: The Way of
Life
Peter B. Biggins, C.S.B., of
Member of the Board of Lectureship of The
The Lecture
In considering the true way to
live, we are led to give attention to the true way to think. The wise man, who
was king in
Above the entrance to a hall in a
well-known American college are the words, "Live to learn." Over the
doorway at a companion entrance to the same hall is the legend, "Learn to
live." It is necessary first to learn the truth about Life, then to live
the truth we are learning. What is the truth about Life? It is that life which
reflects Life, God, is spiritual; for Life is Spirit, and that man is the image
and likeness of Spirit, the true expression of Life. How can we live this
truth, when we seem to be in the midst of so much that is material? Firstly, by
seeing clearly what the ideal is; secondly, by cherishing it; and thirdly, by
putting it into effect so far as we can at each stage of growth. This can be
done at once by everyone without interfering with any normal human activity or
duty, but with great benefit in every way.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer
and Founder of Christian Science,
has written in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures" (p. 548), "Earth has little light or joy for mortals before
Life is spiritually learned." This statement, expressing the clear
spiritual vision of its author, points to the seeming cause of humanity's
difficulties. Underlying all the mistakes, the ills, and the woes of the human
family is a wrong sense of life, the belief that life is material. Supporting
all the right and worthy achievement of upward-striving men and women is the
conviction that Life is Spirit. As you gain this more spiritual sense of
existence through Christian Science, you experience a newly found light, a
freshly discovered joy, a realization that all human problems can be solved by
this means.
You have the right to declare and
realize that you, in reality, now live in God, in Spirit, and that you are
capable of enjoying the perfect health, happiness, and freedom which belongs to
you as the child of your Father-Mother God. As you declare these facts
understandingly, you will enjoy the fruits in your experience in the measure of
the persistence of your declaration and the clearness of your realization.
While the material sense of things leads to inevitable disappointment, the
spiritual sense will lead to the fulfillment of your highest legitimate hopes.
Jesus' Vital Teaching
In what sense did Jesus present
the true way to live? Read his words, as contained in the New Testament, and
you will find that they are very simple, yet profounder far than the depths of
human philosophy. Love God and neighbor, forgiving without limit. Judge not
unrighteously. Get rid of fear. Be awake to evil in all its phases, and
conquer it. Trust God's unerring guidance, utilized through effectual prayer.
Heal yourself and others by spiritual means. Obey implicitly all the divine commandments.
These simple precepts sum up in a few words much of the Master's essential
teaching. Obedience thereto opens the way to harmonious and successful living.
We may note one remarkable fact
about these precepts uttered by Christ Jesus. They all call for strong, direct,
decisive action. There is no time wasted in idle theorizing or vague speculation.
They do not rest on mere doctrine or dogma. They demand demonstration. They do
not insist upon the profession of any creed, or the repetition of any formula.
They do require possessing the Christ-spirit.
We read in John's Gospel that on
one occasion two of John the Baptist's disciples saw Jesus and said to him,
"Where dwellest thou?" The Master replied, "Come and see."
The narrative continues, "They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with
him that day." It was something more than a material dwelling of which
Jesus spoke. It was his mental state, his elevated spiritual understanding of
Life, that constituted his true dwelling place. It was in that higher sense of
Life that these newly found followers abode with him, profiting as far as they were
then able from his inspired teaching. In his conversations with his disciples
he was continually presenting to them the spiritual idea of Life, shedding a
clear light on the teachings of Scripture, and dispelling the mysteries which
seemed to enshroud their sense of being.
The Master's invitation,
"Come and see," called for action. It was as though he said: Be
active in learning the practical truth of being; take the necessary steps in
this direction. Use your God-given faculty of spiritual perception so that you
may lay hold of the precious facts of being, which are even now within your
reach; open your eyes to the beauty of holiness, and the perfection of
spiritual being.
One day, as Jesus and his
disciples were leaving the city of
A literal reading of this passage
might indicate that he followed Jesus along the highway. It is not too much to
conclude, however, that with this great blessing, the gaining of normal sight,
he was awakened to see the way of life which Jesus' teaching opened up to him,
and that he followed Jesus in this way.
Jesus' lifework has had a very
definite effect on human thought. It has brought the most positive spiritual
quality into fuller expression. It has influenced the speech and the
literature of humanity. In fact, human thought has never been quite the same
since Jesus lived and worked on earth. The new era which began with his
appearing here was not merely new as indicated by the calendar of time. It was
new in regard to the quality of thought and character it introduced. Before his
coming, religion was largely a matter of outward form and ceremony. He required
transformation of the heart.
The True Idea of Life
Christian Science is repeating the
works wrought by Jesus and his disciples. To those who have seemed to lose
their health, or to have suffered the loss or impairment of some faculty,
Christian Science brings a comforting and assuring message. Health, holiness,
wholeness is found in God, in Spirit, in divine Life, and these blessings are
won and enjoyed by true thinking, by spiritual thinking, by the contemplation
of the nature of God and his goodness, by the practical utilization of the
divine law. This is not accomplished by a dreamy state of mind. It is the
result of an active mental process, which invigorates all one's affairs. It
brings new freedom, new enthusiasm, new joy. This harmonizing, energizing
divine Principle of Christian Science revitalizes every legitimate human
activity. It brings new life where stagnation has seemed to be.
Disease is a belief in death; it
is a mortal belief. Therefore disease cannot even seem to exist where the true
idea of Life holds sway. Jesus proved this, when, exemplifying the Christ, the
true idea of Life, he healed all manner of disease.
The Psalmist showed that he had a
working knowledge of the true law of Life, the divine law of Spirit, when he
sang, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."
Here he proclaimed a vital truth of being, and used it practically. Mrs. Eddy
perceived the true import of such Bible truths, and throughout her writings she
has made clear how to use them practically, how to affirm them and claim the
benefits as our own.
Thus, on the same basis, you can
consistently affirm the true sense of health cannot fail, because health is a
quality of God, and man enjoys by reflection God's perfect health; man's true
supply is always abundant, and can never be lessened, because man reflects the
affluence of the one infinite Soul, God; man's real work is continuous and can
never be stopped, because man expresses the omniactivity of the one
ever-operative divine Mind. These scientific affirmations − made with
humility and understanding − and their results, illustrate the nature of
effectual, scientific prayer.
Mrs. Eddy's Teaching
Christian Science teaches how we
may lay hold of the blessings which are truly ours. As people saw the revitalizing
nature of Mrs. Eddy's teaching, they began to seek instruction from her. A
woman whom I know, having received treatment from a Christian Scientist, and
having been helped by reading Science and Health, wanted to learn more about
this teaching from the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science herself. She
wrote to Mrs. Eddy for this purpose. She told her that she was quite satisfied
with her own religion and happy in it; and she went on to say that if it was
necessary for her to be "a miserable Christian" in order to be ready
to take this instruction, then she was not ready. Mrs. Eddy replied
characteristically, "Come and see." This woman accepted Mrs. Eddy's
invitation and was taught by her. She came and saw a new life opening up before
her.
As in the case of others who were
blessed by having class teaching from Mrs. Eddy, this student gained a
demonstrable understanding of God and man, a new sense of being as spiritual
instead of material, a more abundant sense of life. She was enabled to
understand the inspired teaching of Christ Jesus as never before. She saw the
erroneous nature of many beliefs which she had accepted as true. With the
correction of these mistaken beliefs she became more useful, and better able to
help others. This teaching has preserved this woman's health, and enabled her
to bring happiness to others.
As Mrs. Eddy proceeded with her
work as the Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science, her
remarkable character and ability were clearly seen by other able people of her
day. Occasionally newspapers and magazines requested from her some sentiment on
events of current importance. Such articles, as well as voluntary contributions
expressing her views, were eagerly welcomed. Thus the Cosmopolitan at
one time published an article written by Mrs. Eddy entitled, "Youth and
Young Manhood." In presenting the article this magazine said editorially:
"Not only Mrs. Eddy's own devoted followers, but the public generally,
will be interested in this communication from the extraordinary woman who . .
. plays so great a part in the world and leads with such conspicuous success
her very great following. . . . Certainly, Christian Scientists, enthusiastic
in their belief, are fortunate in being able to point to a Leader far beyond
the allotted years of man, . . . guiding with remarkable skill, determination,
and energy a very great organization that covers practically the civilized
world" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 272,
273).
In this article Mrs. Eddy
emphasizes the benefits of the divine law. She could speak from experience of
the life-giving, life-preserving power of spiritual law, and of the health,
success, and. prosperity resulting from obedience thereto. At the close of this
remarkable message (p. 274), Mrs. Eddy wrote these words, which young people
today are noting to their advantage: "Dear reader, right thinking, right
feeling, and right acting − honesty, purity, unselfishness − in
youth tend to success, intellectuality, and happiness in manhood. To begin
rightly enables one to end rightly, and thus it is that one achieves the
Science of Life, demonstrates health, holiness, and immortality."
Thus to humanity's legitimate
desire and effort to act rightly, Christian Science adds the ability to think
and feel rightly. True religion is a necessity in order that these good results
may be assured. Before we can think correctly, we need to have a right beginning.
In Christian Science we begin with God, our First Cause, our divine Principle,
the one Mind, the only self-existent Life. This one Mind is the source, the
creator of all true thoughts. These ideas are perfect, as perfect as their
creator. Thus as we begin with a perfect premise, it is possible to reach the
correct conclusion on every subject to which we need to give attention. We feel
rightly as we gain a demonstrable understanding of divine Love, infinite Soul,
and use it practically in our daily lives.
The
The true way to live which
Christian Science, in harmony with the teaching of Jesus, has brought to needy
humanity, includes the true way to heal. The facts which have just been
presented are basic in this healing work. Even a glimpse of the present
perfection of God and the real man at once brings courage and hope to one who
seems to be fettered by sickness or sin. In the light of this truth it is seen
that disease, suffering, pain, discords of every kind, are no part of God's
creation. These errors do not enter into God's perfect and harmonious plan.
Oftentimes quickly, sometimes more gradually, these truths clearly seen bring
healing even in the most difficult cases.
The method of healing in Christian
Science is not a stereotyped form. It is best practiced with spontaneity,
freedom, and joy. Patience, wisdom, and love equip the practitioner with
spiritual power and bring to the patient the needed receptivity whereby he
quickly awakens to his birthright of health and freedom. The healing work in
Christian Science is not adding anything to man. It is revealing man as he is,
in reality. A sculptor, producing a work of art, does not add to the block of
marble in its crude state. He removes from it that which is nonessential, leaving
only the beautiful image he has aimed to reproduce.
Healing, as understood in
Christian Science, is much more than physical cure, although that is necessary
and important. Healing in its broad sense includes the harmonizing of all
one's activities and affairs. It extends to the home, to one's business, to all
one's social duties − in fact, to everything that concerns all of us.
Thus it is indeed far-reaching in its scope. The study of "Science and
Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy along with the
Bible, as well as our Leader's other writings, affords the effective means of
attaining that mental state in which healing becomes possible, in fact inevitable.
So the study of these books is commended as essential in this great work.
"For," to quote the words of the wise man, "they are life unto
those that find them, and health to all their flesh."
Life's Practical Lessons
One of the most pressing needs of
humanity is that of knowing where one should live. There are those who feel
that they are not in their right place, that they do not have the proper
environment. At the same time they do not know how to correct this wrong
condition. Christian Science affords the remedy. If you are in perplexity on
this point, you can begin to declare and realize that in reality you live in
God. Persevere along this line of thought, attending to each present task to
the best of your ability. Then your sincere declaration and realization cannot
fail to bring about better living conditions, as outwardly seen. After all is
said and done, the quality of our thinking determines our environment and our
progress in life. So we do well to begin with our thinking.
In an airplane you may fly above a
city. You can observe where its boundaries begin and where they end, if you are
sufficiently high and the visibility is good. Beyond the city on all sides you
may see wide open spaces with green fields, running brooks, and pleasant woods.
This serves to give freer scope to your thinking. Sometimes you may have
found, when living in a large city with its skyscrapers shutting you in, with
its many personal, business, and social interests occupying attention, that it
seemed to be difficult to see above or beyond them. But as the true idea of
Life, the spiritual idea of Life, takes possession of your thinking, it lifts
you above this narrow, cramping environment. You breathe more freely mentally,
and gain a better view of all things.
At this time when so much thought
is being given to physical health, strength, and beauty, Christian Science has
something of immense value to offer to everyone. It is not to give less thought
to desirable attainments, but more, better, and higher thought on the right
basis. One important step in the right direction is to stop thinking of these
qualities as physical, and to gain the true idea. Health and strength are
qualities of Mind, qualities of God, and man reflects these divine qualities;
and with increasing spirituality it is possible for every individual to express
these qualities more abundantly.
Believing that man is physical,
and that the pursuit of Truth is aided by ceaseless investigation of physical
phenomena, the human mind has become lost in its contemplation of matter. Thus
it has gone around in a vicious circle, knowing not how to break the spell of
this self-deceptive mesmerism. This hypnotic spell is broken by Christian
Science, which unfolds the fact that God is one Mind, one Life, and that man is
the reflection of this one Mind, the expression of this one Life.
Instead of letting thought dwell
on the physical body, turn thought away from it to the contemplation of God as
the one Mind. You will find that this liberates your thought and frees your
body. It takes away fear of the body, and gives you more dominion over it. It
will promote your health, your welfare, your happiness immeasurably. Thus you
are finding your true being, your perfect spiritual selfhood.
We can accept all the good things
which divine Love gives to us with joy and gratitude. So too, we can meet any
difficulty or danger with the consciousness that where the difficulty seems to
be, there is, if we meet it wisely and scientifically, a blessing of worth
untold. So then, whatever comes or goes, we shall go forward with increasing
serenity, ever-renewed joy, and an abiding consciousness of God's presence.
Many a languishing business has
been revitalized, restored to activity and success, by the correct application
of Christian Science. The scientific method which is applicable in healing
physical disease is equally effective when used to promote success and harmony
in a legitimate business enterprise. The business man who understands Christian
Science refuses to let his business die or stagnate. By appropriate
affirmations of truth suited to the need he utilizes the life-giving facts of
being. When selfishness and the desire for gain give place to a more wholesome
desire to give service, the foundation for prosperity is securely laid. When
spirituality predominates in the motives animating business enterprise, success
is achieved. The life of business is assured as one attends well to the
important business of life.
In these days of intensive
specialization, workers need the helpful balance which Christian Science
affords. Specialists have been known to refer to themselves facetiously as
those who are "learning more and more about less and less." The
specialist is wise who, while attending to his useful duties, at the same time
acquires a working knowledge of Christian Science. The spiritual facts of being
thus gained help him to live more broadly. Thus he continues to learn more and
more about more and more − to understand better the infinite Mind and its
infinite manifestation.
In the practice of Christian
Science it has been proved in many instances that where a healing has been temporarily
delayed it has been because the patient was clinging to matter or the material
sense of life, depending upon physical means for help or relief. Even if you
have not wholly overcome your belief that material means will help you, even if
there is still a lingering faith in the efficacy of matter, you can nevertheless
cling persistently to the fact that spiritual means alone are adequate, and
keep free from self-condemnation. This will correct the wrong belief, and bring
the healing through absolute reliance on spiritual power. Many an earnest
seeker for health and happiness has found these blessings, aided by the use of
Solomon's humble prayer, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding
heart."
Some time ago, in the course of my
travels, a young man whom I met asked me about my work. When learning of my
activities as a Christian Scientist, he indicated that he knew all about
Christian Science, saying with assurance, "It's all in your mind."
Christian Science does indeed make clear that all discord is mental in its
origin, but it does not merely brush it aside by saying that it is just
imagination. It is not superficial. It provides a definite means whereby the
ills of humanity are overcome by intelligent utilization of the divine law.
This involves diligent study and persistent application.
Relying on God's Guidance
Nothing can be more precious in
life than the ability to depend definitely upon the unerring guidance of God.
At times you may have considered a definite course of action, but for some
reason that you can not understand, you have been prevented from taking that
course. Under such circumstances, the Scientist realizes that if this is a
right step error cannot hinder him from taking it, and that if it is not a
right step Truth will prevent him from taking it. Thus he removes the question
from the realm of mortal opinion and human will, and places it where it
belongs, in the hands of God. He who is seeking to allow the divine Mind to
govern all his affairs is saved from undue anxiety and fear regarding the outcome
in any given situation.
A young Christian Scientist,
engaged in what was to him at that time a very important undertaking, found
that occasionally some contemplated step was delayed. A more experienced worker
voiced the thought that this might not be obstruction, but God's guidance; and
so it proved. The step contemplated was not a wise one; it was arrested until
the right step was seen. Then events again moved smoothly. In the Bible we read
that on one occasion, when Balaam was proceeding on an unwise course, the angel
of God opposed him. Failing to see the danger signal, Balaam urged forward the
ass on which he rode. The ass turned out of the way, finally rebuking him for
the course he was pursuing. Then Balaam's eyes were opened to see his mistake.
This illustrates in the symbolic language of the East, how trivial incidents
may bring to our attention danger signals designed to arrest us in a course
that is wrong, and turn us in the direction that is right.
The Value of the Bible
Christ Jesus over nineteen hundred
years ago brought to our attention eternal Truth. He spoke of Truth as
"the bread of life," the "living bread which came down from heaven."
In noting what he said and did, we are not looking backward, as some people
would have us believe, but forward. He was doing his great work not only for
that time, but for our time and for all time to come. The facts which he
presented were and are eternal, present realities. We have demonstrated as yet
only a fraction of them. Spiritual progress will enable us continually to
approximate the ideals which he presented and lived.
Many of the very people who say
that we should not look backward to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and of
the prophets and apostles, are using every day of their lives the discoveries
of Euclid, who lived three hundred years before Jesus. In studying
The first forty odd years of the
twentieth century have witnessed a remarkable progress in invention. It were
well that the remaining fifty or more years of this century be devoted more
specifically to the development of Christian character. In this way, these
inventions will be used as servants, aiding humanity's welfare, not as disasters,
threatening humanity's doom. Wise teachers have encouraged those of tender
years to learn passages from the book of Proverbs. I know a teacher who did
this, selecting a dozen or more simple passages, which his pupils memorized. As
time went on, and these young people developed and matured, these truths became
as a guiding star in their lives. They protected them in times of trial and
temptation. This method is worthy of earnest thought and attention. It has
indeed been developed still further in the educational system of Christian
Science. As a result of the daily study of our Lessons-Sermons, Bible truths
furnish the motive-power of the thoughts and acts of all who study them.
True religion vitalizes one's
spiritual faculties and energies. It releases his highest capabilities, making
possible progressively the grandest achievement. These God-bestowed blessings
which were enjoyed in large measure during the first three centuries of the
Christian era, began to wane from then on. As religionists began to adopt human
doctrines in place of pure Christianity, the spiritual element was temporarily
stifled. Theologians wasted time in speculating and disputing about the nature
of Christ when they might have employed their time better in expressing the
Christ-spirit. And while men wrangled in bitter debate over ecclesiastical
questions, the poor clamoring at the gates for living bread went away hungry,
sad, unfed. It was a momentous day for humanity when Mrs. Eddy, cutting through
the tangled web of ecclesiasticism, restored the vital healing element which
had lain dormant for so long. While theorizing about Christ temporarily shut
out the true healing power, the practice of the Science of Christ has restored
it, to be enjoyed forever, so long as the exponents of this Science are
faithful to their trust. Thus Mrs. Eddy could write with conviction in her
book, "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 66): "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."
Healing of the Nations
This priceless boon of true religion
is coming to nations proportionately as it comes to the individuals who comprise
the nations. No longer can it be asserted that religion is an opiate, deadening
the faculties of man. This never could be said of true religion, but the
indictment stands against the false. It is plain that many who have appeared to
reject Christianity have not actually objected to the essence of Jesus'
teaching. They have rebelled against the mistakes which have come falsely in
his name. When they recognize the true religion of Jesus with its humaneness,
its justice, its helpfulness to all, they are eager to embrace it, and adopt it
as their basis for living. They awaken to the face that for harmonious and successful
living there is no substitute for Christian morality. There is a deep longing
in the human heart which nothing can satisfy but the helpful message of true
Christianity. Just as the rousing message of scientific Christianity is
bringing healing to individuals, so also today it is bringing healing to the nations.
Agnosticism and infidelity are giving place to the true understanding of God
and His law, and thus a higher standard of living is reached.
Grandeur of True Life
In the light of Christian Science
we see that Life is not a mere dragging out of a material sense of existence,
but the consciousness of power, love, and joy − the actual enjoyment of
all that is good − here and now. Life is something grand to be enjoyed,
not something painful to be endured. To this higher, nobler view of Life
Christian Science summons us today. From every department of human affairs
comes the imperative call for alert, wide-awake thinking and intelligent
action, for the putting aside of outgrown theories and methods, which only
cause stagnation, and worse − retrogression. The spiritual ideal
presented by Christian Science is the remedy.
It is no crime to enjoy life. It
is our God-given privilege to do so. The difficulty has been that too many
have believed that they enjoyed what they falsely believed to be life, an
erroneous material sense of existence. This false sense of enjoyment leads only
to difficulty and disappointment. To enjoy Life, God, is not only wise but
essential. Man exists to express God. The Bible tells us that God delights in
His perfect creation; and so man by reflection delights in his perfect creator,
God. This is the golden key to human happiness here now. The individual who is
realizing his unity with God knows what true happiness is. No mistakes of
others can interfere in the least with one's enjoyment of harmony, because it
is born of God and sustained by God.
In the book of Revelation, John
presents in symbolic language the fuller appearing of the Christ-idea, the
spiritual idea of Life and Love. The Revelator tells of a book sealed with
seven seals. The Lamb of God, the spiritual idea of divine Love, alone is able
to open this book. He is attended by four beasts and twenty-four elders, which
may be interpreted as typifying the overcoming of all materiality with the
spiritual sense of being. As the Lamb opens each of four seals one after the other,
the four beasts, typifying this conquest of error, say, in turn, "Come and
see." With each step in the process of spiritual revelation comes a
clearer enjoyment of spiritual vision. Christian Science repeats the invitation
so often given throughout the Bible, "Come and see." Come and
acquaint yourselves with the practical power of the one divine Mind. See for
yourselves how it operates. Let this open your eyes to the grandeur of
spiritual being, the perfection of God's creation.
In dealing with this important
subject, the true way to live, we have seen that Jesus the Christ has shown us
the way. We have noted how Mrs. Eddy, with her spiritual-mindedness, was able
to bring back into active use the spiritual element so essential to
Christianity. We have considered the application of this power in healing, in
bringing harmony to all our activities. We know that all can learn and practice
this Science and be blessed by so doing, A new era is opening up before
humanity, an era of greater justice, kindlier consideration, wiser living.
Christian Science has its important place in this great consummation.
Mrs. Eddy in one of her inspired
poems, now used as a hymn, acknowledges the might of divine Love and Life in
these words (Poems, p. 7):
"Thou to whose power our hope
we give,
Free us from human strife.
Fed by Thy love divine we live,
For Love alone is Life;
And life most sweet, as heart to
heart
Speaks kindly when we meet and
part."