Article December 10, 1910 Issue

FROM OUR EXCHANGES

with contributions from Frank N. Riale, Harold Begbie, Lyman Abbott, I. M. Atwood

[Rev. Frank N. Riale, Ph.D., D.D., in Christian Work and Evangelist.]

The "gift of healing," as a mode of the divine approach to men, Christ gave to the twelve apostles who were the pillars of the new dispensation, as the twelve patriarchs were to the one, which was passing, of Jesus the world-light. He called unto him the twelve disciples and gave them authority over all unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to "heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." Jesus gave this gift also to the seventy, but when with inexpressible joy they returned, telling the results of their new-given power, lest they might get this gift out of its true perspective in the plan of redemption, there came from the Master the caution, "Rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." These results of healing, as of forgiving of sins, must take place; but remember they are only the fruitage of the Spirit, which makes those who possess it the truly redeemed, whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. These healings they should ever perform, but ever remember that they were to say, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." What men need is not the momentary healing, but the abiding Spirit of the Father, which makes perpetual the fruitage of this gracious gift.

Last of all, when Jesus was about to finish his earthwork and give his final command, it was not to the twelve or to the seventy, but to "them that believe." As truly as we are called to be saints, we are called to be sent, bearing the good news that God is no respecter of persons in His gracious gifts of the Spirit. When Christ came, he took all true believers up on to the heavenly plane of equality with himself. It grieves his heart and dishonors his name, and retards mightily his work, for us to think of ourselves as aught else than his friends and brothers in the divine joint heirship. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee," are his last great prayer words. As the Father hath sent me, so have I sent you into the world, is his mighty copurpose. But his ringing last words were about the "gift of healing," which it was the Father's purpose should be ours as fully as it was his. Here are the tense, terse words with which Mark's Gospel closes: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ... And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following."

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