Text: Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.—Matt. xxii. 29. The Christian Science Journal reported as follows:— The announcement that the Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy [25] would speak before the Scientist denomination on the afternoon of October 26, drew a large audience. Haw- thorne Hall was densely packed, and many had to go away unable to obtain seats. The distinguished speaker began by saying:— [30] Within Bible pages she had found all the divine Science [1] she preaches; noticing, all along the way of her researches therein, that whenever her thoughts had wandered into the bypaths of ancient philosophies or pagan literatures, her spiritual insight had been darkened thereby, till [5] she was God-driven back to the inspired pages. Early training, through the misinterpretation of the Word, had been the underlying cause of the long years of in- validism she endured before Truth dawned upon her understanding, through right interpretation. With the [10] understanding of Scripture-meanings, had come physical rejuvenation. The uplifting of spirit was the upbuild- ing of the body. She affirmed that the Scriptures cannot properly be interpreted in a literal way. The truths they teach must [15] be spiritually discerned, before their message can be borne fully to our minds and hearts. That there is a dual meaning to every Biblical passage, the most eminent divines of the world have concluded; and to get at the highest, or metaphysical, it is necessary rightly to read [20] what the inspired writers left for our spiritual instruction. The literal rendering of the Scriptures makes them noth- ing valuable, but often is the foundation of unbelief and hopelessness. The metaphysical rendering is health and peace and hope for all. The literal or material reading is [25] the reading of the carnal mind, which is enmity toward God, Spirit. Taking several Bible passages, Mrs. Eddy showed how beautiful and inspiring are the thoughts when rightly understood. “Let the dead bury their dead; follow [30] thou me,” was one of the passages explained metaphysi- cally. In their fullest meaning, those words are salvation from the belief of death, the last enemy to be overthrown; [1] for by following Christ truly, resurrection and life im- mortal are brought to us. If we follow him, to us there can be no dead. Those who know not this, may still believe in death and weep over the graves of their beloved; [5] but with him is Life eternal, which never changes to death. The eating of bread and drinking of wine at the Lord's supper, merely symbolize the spiritual refresh- ment of God's children having rightly read His Word, whose entrance into their understanding is healthful life. [10] This is the reality behind the symbol. So, also, she spoke of the hades, or hell of Scripture, saying, that we make our own heavens and our own hells, by right and wise, or wrong and foolish, conceptions of God and our fellow-men. Jesus interpreted all spirit- [15] ually: “I have bread to eat that ye know not of,” he said. The bread he ate, which was refreshment of divine strength, we also may all partake of. The material record of the Bible, she said, is no more important to our well-being than the history of Europe [20] and America; but the spiritual application bears upon our eternal life. The method of Jesus was purely meta- physical; and no other method is Christian Science. In the passage recording Jesus' proceedings with the blind man (Mark viii.) he is said to have spat upon the dust. [25] Spitting was the Hebrew method of expressing the utmost contempt. So Jesus is recorded as having expressed contempt for the belief of material eyes as havi
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