Article October 30, 1902 Issue

The True Church

LUKE tells us (chapter 9) that Jesus sent forth his disciples "to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." This church stands as a testimonial of our faith in the Master's words. It calls for obedience to the whole gospel. Jesus' commission is but half carried out if we attempt to preach the gospel and not to heal the sick. The gospel cart drags heavily up Zion's hill if it has lost one wheel. On one side is the gospel preaching, on the other should be the healing of the sick. And where this wheel is lacking how can there be progress? This church stands to declare abroad that "God is Love."

All ye are brethren! and because "love is the fulfilling of the law," this church must stand for Love which heals and saves. It proclaims Truth. This church stands to call mankind to the obedience of the First Commandment of all: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." It refuses to accept any claim to power which springs from any but the one source and Creator, who "made all that was made" and pronounced it good. Thus it dethrones evil and relegates it to darkness and oblivion, for, having no creator, it never was made. Brethren, this church stands to call us, each and all, to a higher understanding of God, and of man in his relation to God, and in the degree in which we approach God through the demonstration of this understanding, we are nearing that highway upon which the redeemed shall walk, and are beginning to realize the unity for which Jesus prayed, saying, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me." Because this church does stand for Truth, undivided,—the seamless robe of Christ,—it is welcomed by the weary and heavy-laden, by the thoughtful student of God's word, by the sick and the sorrowful, and by the repentant prodigal. For all others who may think that they oppose Christian Science, because they are still unacquainted with its message of Love for them, this church stands waiting with patient, loving kindness. It has no judgment to express of their methods, no voice of condemnation of their views. It simply stands waiting, ready to do them good through its impersonal preachers, the Bible and Science and Health, the glad tidings, or gospel of health and holiness which God has already prepared for all His children.

From the address of Miss Stella F. Sabin, First Reader, at the opening of the new church at Hoopeston, Ill.

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