A UNIVERSAL PRIESTHOOD

John B. Willis

It is the very genius of Christianity that its redemptive truths are to be possessed by every believer; that he is to become a king and priest unto God, be "endued with power," whereby he may prove Truth's efficiency in the solution of his life problems.

We are all familiar with the fact that, however extended its ramifications, an electric system remains an absolute unit. Its smallest subdivision is ever at-one with the great generating plant, and therefore clothed with its authority and power. So, too, is every divine idea or child at-one with God, his divine Principle, and in the early Church this fact was abundantly demonstrated. The disciples, for the most part, were crude commoners, without education, rank, or distinction, and yet they were early called to the exercise of the highest spiritual functions, and straightway proceeded to fulfil them. Theoretically this idea has survived in the assertion of individual privilege and responsibility, but practically it was discarded centuries ago.

To-day not only is there no thought that the rank and file of Christian believers may posses the healing and redemptive power of Truth, but even the clergy lay little claim to its possession. In creedal statement every believer is said to be related to God, but the healing phenomena of this relation are not anticipated, much less realized, in Christian experience. That the Church has been remiss and that it has suffered a corresponding loss of spiritual power, is being recognized to-day by many Christian people of all denominations.

A prominent church periodical has recently said that those outside of the church who perform physical cures by spiritual means, "have obtained their foothold because the Anglican churches have been false to their own traditions in permitting that sacrament to fall into disuse. ... The bishop's authority to administer the charismate of the church is explicitly recognized, while the commission to a priest at his institution into the rectorship of a parish gives him full authority 'to perform every act of sacerdotal function among the people of the same.' ... When all our priests teach the whole faith, and show themselves ready to obey the Word of God in using the sacrament of holy unction, our people will not be compelled to ally themselves with the followers of Mrs. Eddy ... who manifest more faith in the power of the Christ than many who profess to be of the true Israel of God."

This is very interesting, both in its acceptance of the fact of physical healing through Christian Science and in its endorsement of the teaching that this healing is an essential part of Christian ministry. It is very noticeable, however, that the above writer refers to this grace as pertaining only to ecclesiastical authorities. It is a rite to be administered by the priest rather than an understanding to be gained and applied by the layman, and in this the teaching of Christian Science presents a distinctive contrast. Instead of counseling the believer to receive an unction at the hands of others, it encourages him to so apply his heart unto wisdom that he may know, and consequently profit, by the truth which makes free. In the one case conformity, obedience to constituted authority, satisfies the demand, and contentment with a perfunctory service is likely to result; in the other, each individual is impelled to become a demonstrator of spiritual truth, and this can but result in that individual adequacy and completeness in Christ which is the very bone and sinew of spiritual manhood. The whole trend of Christian Science teaching and method is toward the attainment of this result.

To illustrate, the provision of the Lesson-Sermon calls for the daily study of the Scriptures, its spiritual interpretation and application to ever-recurring human needs. The student is thus prepared to listen intelligently when the Lesson is read in the impressive quiet of the Sabbath service. Entertainment and emotional or mesmeric appeal have no place or recognition, and a condition is thus presented which favors the reception and assimilation of truth, the realization of individual growth. The practical significance of Truth-knowing, a sense of the inherent relation of spiritual thought to spiritual overcoming, is engendered, and equipment for priestly service is thus gained. The love of the oratorical, the spectacular, and the entertaining may make its appeal, but earnest Christian Scientists invariably witness to a distinct advance in their spiritual life, as the fruitage of this more personal, more serious, and more spiritual touch with the Word of Truth which the wisdom of our Leader has provided.

The practical realization of man's kingship and priesthood, that relation of the individual to Truth which means ever-increasing sovereignty over error and all that error begets,—this is the religious ideal presented in Christian Science, and the marvelous growth of the movement is explained in large part by the stimulus to individual study and demonstration which this ideal has brought to mankind.

John B. Willis.

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Letters

LETTERS TO OUR LEADER

November 3, 1906

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