Editorial November 9, 1907 Issue

A PLEA FOR THE AFFLICTED

John B. Willis

There is a famous picture which portrays the crucial moment of one of the many sanguinary events of the Roman amphitheater. In the foreground lies the prostrate form of a fallen gladiator, who has raised his hand in mute appeal for mercy. His antagonist stands with one foot upon the breast of his victim, his sword poised for the final thrust, while he lifts his eyes to the emperor's pavilion for the signal which is to decide the fate of the vanquished man. He who fought so fairly and so well surely merits the boon of life at the hands of his peers, and yet we look in vain through all those serried ranks for one eye that hath pity, an arm that would save. Near and far they are giving the fateful signal, while from every lip springs the hoarse cry, "To the death," and we know that the poor man's doom is sealed.

Studied in the light of Christian Science this picture lends its salient features to another scene. We are looking into the arena of present-day life, where the struggle between mortal man and that which is named incurable disease is constantly being repeated. The spectators are largely Christian believers, who, in the presence of life's sad experiences, have daily opportunity to stand for or against some fellow-man who has been compelled to enter the lists and engage in an ill-balanced conflict with this dread foe.

Knowing the bloody strifes with which even the youth of Rome were made familiar, and how all its people were educated to love and to exact a full measure of sensual satisfaction, we can explain their indifference both to the demand for justice and to the appeal for help: but no such extenuation of what Burns called "man's inhumanity to man" can be offered to-day when, in forgetfulness of the definite promises and provisions of the gospel as enunciated and demonstrated by Christ Jesus. Christian people at the dictum of false mortal law declare for the death of brave and innocent men, not only at the end of their struggle, but at its very inception. Such an attitude of though upon the part of a professed Christian Scientist would be a denial of his birthright, a contradiction of the very fundamentals of his faith.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Letters

LETTERS TO OUR LEADER