  It is related of Justin Martyr that, hearing of a Pythag- [2] orean professor of ethics, he expressed the wish to be- come one of his disciples. “Very well,” the teacher replied; “but have you studied music, astronomy, and [5] geometry, and do you think it possible for you to under- stand aught of that which leads to bliss, without hav- ing mastered the sciences that disengage the soul from objects of sense, so rendering it a fit habitation for the intelligences?” On Justin's confessing that he had [10] not studied those branches, he was dismissed by the professor. Alas for such a material science of life! Of what avail would geometry be to a poor sinner struggling with temptation, or to a man with the smallpox? [15] Ancient and modern philosophies are spoiled by lack of Science. They would place Soul wholly inside of body, intelligence in matter; and from error of premise would seek a correct conclusion. Such philosophy can never demonstrate the Science of Life,—the Science which [20] Paul understood when he spoke of willingness “to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” Such philosophy is far from the rules of the mighty Nazarene Prophet. His words, living in our hearts, were these: “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as [25] a little child, shall in no wise enter therein.” Not through astronomy did he point out the way to heaven and the reign of harmony. We need the spirit of St. Paul, when he stood on Mars' hill at Athens, bringing Christianity for the first time [30] into Europe. The Spirit bestows spiritual gifts, God's [1] presence and providence. St. Paul stood where Socrates had stood four hundred years before, defending himself against the charge of atheism; in the place where De- mosthenes had pleaded for freedom in immortal strains [5] of eloquence. We need the spirit of the pious Polycarp, who, when the proconsul said to him, “I will set the beasts upon you, unless you yield your religion,” replied: “Let them come; I cannot change from good to bad.” Then they [10] bound him to the stake, set fire to the fagots, and his pure and strong faith rose higher through the baptism of flame. Methinks the infidel was blind who said, “Christianity is fit only for women and weak men;” but even infidels [15] may disagree. Bonaparte declared, “Ever since the reign of Christianity began the loftiest intellects have had a practical faith in God.” Daniel Webster said, “My heart has always assured and reassured me that Chris- tianity must be a divine reality.” [20] To turn the popular indignation against an advanced form of religion, the pagan slanderers affirmed that Christians took their infants to a place of worship in order to offer them in sacrifice,—a baptism not of water but of blood, thus distorting or misapprehending [25] the purpose of Christian sacraments. Christians met in midnight feasts in the early days, and talked of the crucified Saviour; thence arose the rumor that it was a part of Christian worship to kill and eat a human being. [30] Really, Christianity turned men away from the thought of fleshly sacrifice, and directed them to spiritual attain- ments. Life, not death, was and is the very centre of [1] its faith. Christian Science carries this thought even higher, and insists on the demonstration of moral and spiritual healing as eminent proof that God is understood and illustrated. [5]
|
|
