Article January 7, 1905 Issue

Scientific Methods

MRS. AL-FREDDIE DE LONG.

In reading the 11th chapter of John's gospel, I have been impressed with the simplicity and lack of detail in Jesus' speech, as there recorded, regarding Lazarus' sickness, death, and burial. When impressed with the necessity of returning to Bethany, because of the need that the power of the Christ be demonstrated, he did not proclaim in an elaborate manner, even to the receptive thought of the disciples, the conditions that he knew had to be overcome in order to prove the power of Life over death. At first he did not tell them in the ordinary way that Lazarus was dead. He did this only after he was convinced by their questioning that they did not understand what had occurred; "then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead." Again, when met by Martha, the sister of Lazarus, we do not find him questioning her as to how he sickened and died. The only inquiry as to what had passed was, "Where have ye laid him?" His greeting to Martha savored of Life, not death,—"Thy brother shall rise again." Jesus' attitude toward the testimony of the senses in that hour of need, which is explained by our Leader in Science and Health, (p. 75), is of unmeasured importance to us as students and followers of his example.

One of the grand lessons which we learn from this incident is the necessity of refraining from a curious desire to know all the details of any discord that may present itself to be overcome by the understanding of Truth. At this hour, many seem the subtleties which would tempt the workers in the vineyard to pause by the way, either to listen to this history of some disaster or to explain to another the same, when our attitude should be that of watchfulness lest we believe a lie to be truth, and how can we fail to believe it if we continue to rehearse it? If we do not believe it we should refrain from talking about it.

When there was some specific error to be overcome I have felt the handicap of the question, "Tell me all about it," for after mortal mind's curiosity has been thoroughly satisfied, and it is ofttimes nothing else, it is laborious work to destroy that lie to its consciousness. The demand to-day upon Christian Scientists for a higher and grander emulation of Jesus' example is met only through a more earnest, daily striving for that Mind which was in Christ Jesus, and such an attitude toward all sense testimony as will enable us to enter into the realization of his prayer at the entrance to the sepulchre where Lazarus lay, "Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me."

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