Page:The Origin of Christian Science.djvu/216

208 It follows naturally from this theory that, whatever salvation may be, it is obtained by works and so Mrs. Eddy teaches. The idea that Christ suffered as a substitute for us she vehemently rejects. Christ is the way-shower and nothing more. The notion that God's just wrath against sin can be appeased, whether it be an heathen belief or a Christian faith, she would consider a superstition. It is very natural therefore to find Mrs. Eddy following Plato and teaching the doctrine of purgatory or probation after death.

The highest ideals, therefore, of Christian Science are ethical, and this review of its ethical principles will render our survey of her teachings quite complete. We are compassing her entire body of doctrines. She has written much but she sets forth almost nothing that we do not take account of. There is in her books a monotonous repetition. Mrs. Eddy realized the value of “line upon line and precept upon precept,” though there be no change or advance in thought.

There is no parallel between Christian Science and Neoplatonism more striking and more fundamental than the theory that evil is a negation, the mere absence of reality. We have naturally touched upon this subject before, as it was unavoidable, but here we are to scrutinize it very carefully.

Let us recall that Neoplatonism and Christian Science are rigid monistic systems. They