Page:Historical Sketch of Christian Science.pdf/24

Rh Stating the Divine Principle, omnipotence (omenis potens), and then departing from this statement, and taking the rule of finite matter, with which to work out the problem of infinity, or Spirit — employing hygiene, drugs, animal magnetism, in contradiction to divine power — all this is like trying to compensate for the absence of omnipotence, by a physical, false, and finite substitute.

Science reveals Mind, God, and all that is made by Him, as harmonious, immortal, and spiritual: the five material senses define Mind and matter as distinct, but mutually dependent, each on the other, for intelligence and life. Science defines Man as immortal, as coexistent and coeternal with God, as made in His own image and likeness; material sense defines life as something apart from God, beginning and ending, and man as very far from the divine likeness. Science reveals Life as a complete sphere, as eternal self-existent Mind; material sense defines life as a broken sphere, as organized matter, and mind as something separate from God. Science reveals Spirit as all, averring that there is nothing beside God; material sense says that matter, His antipodes, is something besides God. Material sense adds that the divine Spirit created matter, and that matter and evil are as real as Spirit and Good.

Science reveals God and His idea as the all and only. Science declares that evil is the absence of Good, and therefore that evil is unreal, and Good is all that is real. Science saith to the wave and storm, “Be still,” and there is a great calm. Material sense asks, in its ignorance of Science, “When will their raging cease?” Science saith to all manner of disease: “Know that God is all-power and all-presence, and there is nothing beside Him,” and the sick are healed. Material sense saith: “Oh, when will my sufferings cease? Where is God? There is something beside Him, and He can not, or does not, heal.”

Science is the only sure basis of harmony. Material sense contradicts Science, for matter takes no cogni-