Editorial February 4, 1905 Issue

"The Power of the Word"

Annie M. Knott

An interesting report of prison work may be found on another page, and perhaps the feature most deserving of notice is the fact that the workers wisely avoided the common mistake of attempting much in the way of personal explanation, and allowed the "word of life" to do its own work, as it surely will, sooner or later. This is not only commendable in prison work, but in all other that is undertaken by Christian Scientists. Mortals are often disposed to force upon others their own undeveloped knowledge of the truth, in an attempted explanation of the meaning of its statements, when it would be far better to let God be "His own interpreter." This does not mean that the eager enthusiasm of the beginner is to be stifled, but simply that it should be wisely directed.

"Have faith in God," said Jesus, a command which means much in Christian Science, and in obeying it we come to have a profound faith in the Word as well, — the truth brought to human consciousness. We should ever remember that the good we do is not the result of anything which originates in ourselves, — that we are not "sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." Again and again do we find it stated in the Bible that it is the divine Word which heals and saves, and the great Teacher ofttimes reminded his students of its authority and power. He said, "I have given them thy word, . . sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." As Christian Scientists we have all seen remarkable demonstrations of the power of the Word of Truth, when scientifically realized and silently declared to poor sufferers who, when well-nigh in despair, have sought its divine aid. As Christian Scientists come to see the omnipotence of God's word, and are more content to let it do its healing and regenerating work without their anxious aid, then there will be a wonderfully increased sense of the harmony which is inseparable from the Truth of being.

There are few, perhaps, who fully appreciate the farseeing wisdom shown by our Leader in providing the best means whereby "the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified" apart from the dangers which attach to personal opinion. In all personal statements, the mood of the speaker must be taken into account. Individual bias is usually very tenacious in its hold, and it necessarily finds expression in many attempts to "talk Science." In contrast with all this, we have, in our text-book and the other writings of Mrs. Eddy, statements of absolute and provable Science which will be found as available for human need, centuries hence, as they are to-day. In the Christian Science periodicals the aim is to frame statements of the truth, and of its applicability to human need, which are as free as possible from all personal bias, and which are calculated to appeal to the widely differing conditions of thought and culture on the part of those who seek truth through these channels. The utmost care is also taken to be fair and courteous to those who hold different views from us, and a little thought will disclose the advantage of having all statements thus carefully prepared and subjected to the most rigid criticism before they are sent out on their healing mission.

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