Editorial April 7, 1906 Issue

Our High calling of God

JOHN B. WILLIS

Among the many lessons taught us in the parable of the talents is this, that the force and pertinence of a rebuke are revealed no less clearly in the attempted self-extenuation of those who treat it with neglect than in the alert responsiveness of those who give it welcome.

Christian Science maintains that professing Christians of this age are under precisely the same obligation to fulfill our Lord's command to heal the sick as were those early followers who personally received his instructions, and this daring declaration, coupled with the undeniable success of Christian Scientists in their efforts to meet the responsibility named, has brought to all thoughtful Christian believers vigorous reminder of a privilege and duty which has long been ignored. The resulting disturbance of the inertia of mortal thought has expressed itself in two ways, —in the prominence given the subject of religious healing in both the secular and religious press as well as in the pulpit ; and in the appearance of a large amount of apologetic statement which is often no less surprising than significant.

As a sample of this type of comment we quote from a late religious weekly, which says, — "Many have striven in later years to do those works of wonder which are called miracles . . . but the power to do these works will never come to those who seek it or who are eager to use it. . . . To wish to work miracles is to be unable to work them." This can but mean that, however unselfish and humble it may be, the desire to fulfil Jesus' command to heal the sick is not only profitless but out of keeping!

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