CHRISTIAN SCIENCE has been widely discussed and criticised, more or less kindly and unkindly, but those who have undertaken to antagonize it have overlooked the paramount fact concerning the subject; namely, that it is a matter of experiment rather than of controversy. No one is properly equipped for the discussion of any scientific subject unless he has himself demonstrated its statements. This is preeminently true regarding Christian Science, which is an exact scientific statement of Christianity, adapted to universal demonstration. This science, which has been aptly termed the "Science of sciences," lifts its students to higher planes of thought, gives them a broader outlook on the possibilities of man, and takes them farther toward the Truth of being than all systems of human knowledge combined have ever done or attempted to do.

The question as to whether Christian Science is true is not decided by discussion nor influenced by argument. That it differs in many things from the common opinions of men may arouse protest and excite adverse criticism in some quarters, but this does not affect the issue involved. It would be well for opponents of Christian Science to remember that while words may sound loud and heavy in the ears of mortals, they have neither weight nor worth at the bar of Truth. One cluster of the sweet, ripe fruit of this tree of healing has more value there than all the books, lectures, articles, and sermons that have gone forth against it since it began its divine mission.

Christian Science is not a mystery. There is no occultism nor secrecy about its teachings, and none, consequently, in its practice. There is no hidden or private interpretation of its meaning, which is simplicity itself. Its text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, declares plainly, in clear, forceful language, what Christian Science is, and what is required of its students in order to demonstrate it successfully. There is therefore no reasonable excuse why critics should not suspend judgment for an honest, impartial test of its scientific feasibility and utility, especially as the world is in such sore need of what Christian Science promises, but which nothing else has been able to give. If it will not stand the test, not many words will be needed to dispose of it.

There is more inducement to make such an investigation into the value and practicability of Christian Science than a cursory and perhaps hostile examination of its text. First, because no scientific work can be adequately understood except through experiment. Second, because so many splendid people, whose standing is unquestioned in their respective communities, have borne testimony to the great good they have derived from it. Why, if one thousandth part of this number had gone to a new country prospecting for gold, and had returned with equally good reports, there would be a stampede to that place within a year. And yet all the gold that was ever mined has not enough purchasing power to obtain for its possessor the benefits these people have received from Christian Science.

It is surely a vain attitude assumed by the Church and materia medica in combating the healing work of Christian Science, when it is so capable of proof. Although the metaphysics of Christian Science healing may not be susceptible of medical analysis in its ordinary modes, yet the fact that all men think, and are amenable to spiritual conditions, provides adequate means whereby this system can be weighed and tested, if dealt with fairly on its own ground. Even the medical specialist cannot conduct his experiments successfully without a correct mental concept of the conditions involved, although he may deny the power of thought in therapeutics. One cannot blacken his boots even, without thinking about it. Neither can one steal, or get angry, or derange his digestion, or commit any other breach of good living, without thinking. True, the stomach does not think about digestion or indigestion, neither do the hands think of stealing nor the lips of smiling; but the owner of these thinks, and his thought-mandates are obeyed for good or ill. Then why should not this thinker realize and express the government of Principle, and thus have peace instead of turmoil? A change of thought toward better things, as indicated in Christian Science, is possible to all, and is the open door to its understanding and demonstration.

The only vital question concerning this thinking process is whether it is right or wrong: that is, whether the general rules of human conduct are based upon true or false concepts. Here is the point of disagreement between Christian Science and material systems. What Christian Science designates as right thinking on the one hand, and what materia medica and popular theology designate as right thinking on the other hand, are directly at variance. The ultimate decision between these conflicting theories and methods must be reached in the same way as with other things, that which proves best in results must be the nearest right.

Critics who have not demonstrated the correctness of their own theories are hardly in a position to challenge Christian Scientists for believing in that which they have proven. Those who are not willing to defer their judgment of Christian Science until they have verified it through demonstration, must be mentally too near-sighted to discern the truth beyond the horizon of their own prejudices. Such an attitude proves in itself the existence of something better than that which is contended for. If such critics will open their heart and conscience to the sunshine of brotherly love, and a kindly tolerance and respect for others' convictions, they will find it a splendid cure for their mental myopia. They will then see that there are "more things in heaven and earth" than their philosophy had been broad enough to hold.

Christian Science presents a code of life which thousands are trying to obey, and which any one may examine for himself. Objections may have been made that it is too good, but not that it is not good enough. It is significant that all who come under the influence of this teaching, no matter how good or how bad they may have been before, realize an improvement over their former conditions, and obtain a peace of mind which nothing else confers. Their experiments have proven Christian Science to be good, and they therefore hold fast to it. Thirty years' history of this movement has established the fact that Christian Science reduced to practice never makes bad, selfish, gossipy, idle, contentious, discontented, sickly, or sorrowful people out of its believers, but the exact reverse. To them the supreme law of being is good, under whose government man may exercise his dominion over evil. Among the most unrelenting opponents of Christian Science, who claim to believe in Christ, will any say that this law is not true nor practicable? Yet admitting this, the inexorable rules of logic will leave them bereft of every shaft against Christian Science, and bereft of all excuse if they do not themselves practise it.

The consideration that no material system has ever given to men a permanent and successful rule for the overcoming of the myriad troubles that assail them, should move the opponents of Christian Science to see first what it has done and can do towards bettering human conditions. The theories of materialism have been in practice from time immemorial, and have ever resulted in sorrow and suffering and discontent. The conditions of the race plead for something better. Men who love their kind should be moved by too high motives to let professional pride or educational prejudice prevent their broad disinterested investigation into the workings of Christian Science. For all that their own theories have proved to the contrary, Christian Science may be what humanity needs to rescue it from misery and sin, and to lift it into the recognition of man's unity with all that is good and pure and harmonious in being. That man is never kindred to evil in any form may shock the creeds of the ages, but it is found in Christianity to be demonstrable truth. Let those who disagree with this conception of Christian Science pause ere they lightly condemn that which means so much to human welfare, and seek rather to learn for themselves if this knowledge of the Christ may not be the one way whereby man may know God, and overcome evil. ‹‹‹‹‹

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