Article August 3, 1907 Issue

"REASONABLE SERVICE"

S. J. HARE

We sometimes hear of Christian Scientists being asked to take poison, or to walk off the roof of a high building, in order to convince a non-believer that Christian Science can do what is claimed for it. We read of similar requests in the Bible. We are told that the devil asked Jesus to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, also to turn stones into bread. For what purpose? Only to satisfy the carnal mind, for no good could have come from so doing. Have we a single instance in which Jesus stepped aside from doing his Father's business,—the healing of the sick and the sinful,—to make a show of his God-given power? He did not even go to John, but said, "Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard;" while mortal sense would have had him go like a magician to convince John that he was the Messiah.

Jesus said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits," Is there not enough recorded in Holy Writ to prove man's dominion over the asserted laws of matter? The Master also said of every faithful follower, "The works that I do shall he do also." Did he really mean all that this statement implies? Enough has already been accomplished through Christian Science to convince those who will make an honest investigation that his promise is being fulfilled. The power of Truth is not a plaything, to be given to babes who know not how to use it, "such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." It is enough that this power is sufficient when the right occasion demands its exercise. Jesus did not destroy the sight of people that he might restore it again. He did not walk upon the waters when the boat was near. He did not feed the multitudes with five loaves and a few fishes when food was plenty. He submitted to the cross, and thus taught us that the real man—the Christ—cannot be subject to death. He also taught us how to attain dominion over sin, sickness, and death. He asserted man's dominion as a son of God, and overcame the very climax of the carnal law, death, that we, as "jointheirs with Christ," might know how to live, not how to die. He said, "I am the way." Through "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy is pointing us to the great truth taught by our Master, and by this knowledge, gained in the study of Christian Science, we may prove man's dominion when necessity demands it of us.

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