“The design of Love is to reform the sinner.” Mary Baker Eddy
Reform
1. to correct; to restore to a former good state,
2. To change from bad to good; to remove that which is bad or corrupt;
Sin is a hot topic. From damnation to relativism. I certainly did not know where to begin before the clear teachings of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings at Plainfield. New Age has misconstrued the idea “there is no sin.” Taking that line out of Mrs. Eddy’s writings removes it from the context and changes the meaning. I am learning it takes a deep study of her writings and the Bible and practice of these principles to prove that statement.
“There is much general misunderstanding regarding the use of the term “deny” in Christian Science. This word is often misconstrued as meaning a general non-recognition of evil, a sort of nonchalant waving aside of all that is not pleasant and pleasing, a complete overlooking of things that should be remedied and eradicated; but it is a mistaken idea that Christian Scientists deal with evil as imaginary. They recognize that evil thought precedes evil action, therefore they strike at the root of evil rather than at its branches, and this process must of necessity give their efforts a superior power of destruction. …Christian Science offers a most practical, scientific, process for the destruction of evil because it works at the cause of evil, rather than the effect. … Christian Science does not mean apathetic non-recognition of suffering,—a refusal to consider a remedy for evil,—far from it; its denials are fraught with sympathetic power. …We deny sin, sickness, and death, but when we use the term “deny,” we do not mean that we dream away in an indifference to the proximity of the world’s sin, sickness, and death. Our denials are prayers,—an active, purposeful, unbelieving in the power, activity, or presence of evil, so that we may more nearly approach obedience to the first commandment, “Thou shalt have [or believe in] no other gods before me.” by Kate Swope
Oct. 3 1903 Sentinel