Article May 7, 1910 Issue

IN HIS NAME

EUGENIE PAUL JEFFERSON.

It was in all probability for material assistance only that the beggar appealed to the two disciples as they entered the gate Beautiful of the temple, upon that wonderful day so many centuries ago, and when Peter corrected the false sense of need and awakened in this poor man's thought a concept of spiritual supply, he leaped and shouted for joy. Receiving strength and energy in limbs and feet that had never borne his weight, he arose as he was bid, "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth;" or, "in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good," the way that has been shown us by the Discoverer of Christian Science (Science and Health, p. 393).

It is likely that this case of healing caused great excitement upon that day. The man was known by all, as he had been lame from his birth and was carried daily and laid at the temple gate which was called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that went in to pray. When importuned, Peter fastened his eyes upon the unfortunate man and said, "Look on us." And the beggar gave heed to them. The receptive condition of thought through which the wonderful—though divinely natural—work was accomplished is apparent, for not only did the man give heed, become attentive, to Truth, as he had been bid, but the story says he expected to receive something of them. In his supposed ignorance of what he really wanted, he was not aware that he was looking for a manifestation of the healing power of Truth. The disciples, however, knew what he needed, and Peter answered his plea for help. "Silver and gold have I none," he said; "but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

When the people saw Peter and John enter into the temple accompanied by the erstwhile cripple, who was now "walking, and leaping, and praising God," they were filled with wonder and amazement, and Peter thus addressed the great crowd which at once surrounded the little group: "Ye men of Israel," he said, "why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" He then proceeded to explain to them that the name of Christ Jesus, with faith in the power of that name, had enabled them to make the demonstration in the presence of them all,—to restore perfect soundness where to mortal sense no soundness had been. We read that because of this manifestation of the power of God "in earth as it is in heaven," about five thousand people were convinced of the truth of the teachings of Jesus the Christ, him whom they had disbelieved and crucified.

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IN HIS NAME

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