Editorial October 22, 1910 Issue

THE UNDIVIDED GARMENT

Archibald McLellan

IT is often asked of Christian Scientists why they make so much of the healing of sickness, and why they give so much time to this work; all of which would indicate that those who make these inquiries have failed to grasp the great truth that the healing of the sick is as much a part of the Christian religion as is the saving of men from sin; that Christian Scientists are but endeavoring to walk in the footsteps—follow the example—of him who "went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."

The Master, indeed, gave so much of his time to this work, that the record of his ministry is largely a record of the healing of the sick and distressed, those who were afflicted in body or mind. It is apparent, too, from his words that have been handed down to us, that he considered this work to be of equal importance with the preaching which made his gospel understandable to his followers; that the healing of men's bodies was indissolubly linked with their salvation from sin, else why was his command to preach the gospel invariably coupled with that to heal the sick.

There is nothing in the Gospel record which indicates that the Master used this healing power merely as a means of competing with other religionists, or that he looked upon the power which he possessed as something to be exercised or not exercised as he might feel inclined. On the contrary, there is evidence that he knew that the doctrine which he preached necessarily healed the sick, and that the "signs following" were simply in demonstration, or the confirmation, of the Principle which he taught. The difficulty has been that as time went on the church which he founded, while accepting his promises so far as salvation from sin was concerned, and laboring zealously in this direction, grew faint-hearted and finally ignored the equally binding obligation to heal the physically distressed,—to make them "every whit whole." Of this half-hearted acceptance of their trust Mrs. Eddy says: "If we are Christians on all moral questions, but are in darkness as to the physical exemption which Christianity includes, then we must have more faith in God on this subject and be more alive to His promises" (Science and Health, p. 373); in other words, know that He "who forgiveth all thine iniquities," likewise "healeth all thy diseases."

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