Page:Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (1906).djvu/53

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Atonement and Eucharist
37

stroys the belief called sin? Does not Science show that sin brings suffering as much to-day as yesterday? They who sin must suffer. “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

History is full of records of suffering. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Mortals try in Martyrs inevitable vain to slay Truth with the steel or the stake, but error falls only before the sword of Spirit. Martyrs are the human links which connect one stage with another in the history of religion. They are earth's luminaries, which serve to cleanse and rarefy the atmosphere of material sense and to permeate humanity with purer ideals. Consciousness of right-doing brings its own reward; but not amid the smoke of battle is merit seen and appreciated by lookers-on.

When will Jesus' professed followers learn to emulate him in all his ways and to imitate his mighty works? Complete emulation Those who procured the martyrdom of that righteous man would gladly have turned his sacred career into a mutilated doctrinal platform. May the Christians of to-day take up the more practical import of that career! It is possible, — yea, it is the duty and privilege of every child, man, and woman, — to follow In some degree the example of the Master by the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness. Christians claim to be his followers, but do they follow him in the way that he commanded? Hear these imperative commands: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect!” “Go ye Into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature!” “Heal the sick!

Why has this Christian demand so little inspiration