Editorial June 30, 1906 Issue

A Vital Faith

Annie M. Knott

It is not strange that the coming together of such large numbers of Christian Scientists at their annual Communion and the dedication of the Extension of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, should have aroused much interest and called forth much comment. Even where such comment was not wholly friendly, the admission was made that Christian Science undoubtedly stands for a marvelous quickening of faith in God and in man's spiritual possibilities. There are, however, some who contend that people should accept this admitted good without accepting Christian Science; quite forgetting that it is just because people have failed to find elsewhere the way to a vital faith, with its accompanying strength and peace, that they have come to Christian Science. As in the first Christian century, former religious concepts are given up because of "the weakness and unprofitableness thereof;" and because that now as then so many find in Christian Science "a better hope;" "by the which we draw nigh unto God."

The tremendous practical significance of thus drawing "nigh unto God," and receiving therefrom both physical and moral healing, is, strange to say, overlooked by many professed Christians and students of the Scriptures. They wholly forget the one all-important fact, that the adherents of Christian Science are such because of benefits actually received, and in most cases after help had been sought in vain through material means. Those who have been healed in Christian Science can therefore afford to smile at the statement that in Christian Science the body is denied or ignored, when they know that on the contrary it is brought under the government of Mind and becomes responsive to spiritual law. It is true that they no longer submit to the tyranny of material sense, which would make body the master, but in the ratio of their understanding of Christian Science they demonstrate the supremacy of Mind, God, with the result of a harmonious body and the unfoldment of strength and endurance unknown before.

The writer recalls an experience, prior to her acceptance of Christian Science, in which she sought the aid of two well-known clergymen on behalf of one who was very ill. She was encouraged to do this because of their sermons, in which the power and goodness of God had been most eloquently brought to the attention of their hearers. From each, however, she received the same answer to her appeal; viz., that this desperate case was clearly one for the doctors, not for ministers of the gospel. This appeal had not been made until the case had been declared hopeless by physicians, and though pity and regret were expressed, the statement was made that the way of Christ Jesus was no longer available for suffering humanity. Later, she learned from an erstwhile agnostic, who had experienced the truth of Christian Science, that all the good of the Master's ministry is as truly available to-day for human need as in his time, and she herself was soon enabled to prove the correctness of the statement.

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