Article May 4, 1899 Issue

Answer to an Honest Inquirer

R. L. Ziller

Hon. George W. Savage, House of Representatives, Austin, Texas.

Dear Sir:—Your letter of inquiry is before me, and as you say the questions are asked in the spirit of kindness, I will endeavor to give them such consideration as I can in a letter, trusting that you will receive the answer in the same kindly spirit. You refer me to Acts, 2:37; 9:6, and 16:30, and ask, "What answer do Christian Scientists make?" The substance of these verses is this: "What must we do to be saved?" I would answer in Bible language, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." This includes more than is apparent at a glance. It means vastly more than the mere belief that Jesus was the one sent to redeem the world. If we believe in the Master, we shall believe that his words were true, that his commands were to be fully obeyed, and that he is "the way, the truth, and the life."

To the young man who wished to know specifically what he lacked, the Master answered, "Come and follow me." How are we to follow the Master unless by following his example in casting out all manner of evil, sickness, as well as sin. The Master plainly said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." This is what Christian Scientists are endeavoring to do. They are striving to deny material selfhood and seek the recognition of a higher selfhood, even a life "hid with Christ in God." They are endeavoring to put all evil out of consciousness, knowing that it has no place in God or His creation. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Can we say we love the Master while failing to walk in the way he mapped out for us? The same sentence that commands us to preach the "Glad Tidings" tells us also to heal the sick, and thus only can the Gospel be a full Gospel. (Vide Luke, 9:2, and Matthew, 10:7,8.) Shall we tell a man the "kingdom of heaven is at hand," free him from the bondage of sin through the power of divine Love, but leave him in the clutches of disease, thinking that there God is of no help?