Editorial October 12, 1907 Issue

"SIGNS FOLLOWING"

Archibald McLellan

In many of the smaller cities and towns where Christian Science churches or societies have not yet been established, it has occurred to those who are banded together in a less informal way as Christian Scientists that a lecture is the one thing needed to establish their work on a more stable basis, but in this we believe they are mistaken. The one great essential in which Mrs. Eddy's teachings differ from the other interpretations of Christianity is the fact that they present a demonstrable religion—a revival of the primitive Christianity which healed the sick. It is because Christian Science differs in this way from the established sects that it has a reason or excuse for existence. If it possessed no practical and demonstrable healing power, such as was relied upon and used by the great Nazarene and his early followers, it would not present anything different from the scores of religions which have engaged the attention of men and women for centuries, and could not answer as it has the appeal of sin-sick and bodily-sick humanity.

The lecturers are doing a magnificent work in their line of endeavor, but this work would be practically useless as a means of enhancing the growth of Christian Science were it not for the "signs following." The true basis of the establishment of Christian Science in any community must be the healing of the sick and the deliverance of the sinful, and this must precede every other form of work or organization. Every Christian Scientist should know enough to apply the rules of healing which he has learned from his text-book, not only for himself, but for all those who suffer in "mind, body, or estate" who may come to him for assistance. The rules governing the work of the Board of Lectureship contemplate the giving of lectures only in places wherein societies or branch churches have been organized, and these cannot be organized with certainty of permanence and success until good healing work has been done. To heal the sick is the eternal mandate of divine Love, and Christian Science churches cannot be established and maintained on any other basis.

Archibald McLellan.

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