Article May 21, 1910 Issue

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE HEALING

WILLIAM LLOYD.

I have found Christian Science a practical, every-day religion, and am profoundly grateful for the knowledge its study has given me of God, for through it I have learned that He is a very present help, not only in all times of trouble, but in all kinds of trouble. It distresses me, therefore, to think that any should ever doubt its practicability, or say, "It is not for me." Yet this doubt occurs to some, especially when they first come to Christian Science and are not immediately healed. Again, this question may be asked, "Why are some healed so quickly, perhaps instantly, through the assimilation of one verse of the Bible or of one sentence in Science and Health, while the same verse or sentence has no apparent effect on others?"

Before trying to answer this question, let me state that I do not seek to lay down any law, for every case has its own environment and circumstances and no invariable rule could or should be made. I speak generally, and as a result of my own experience, observation, and growth. When I first came into Christian Science, and for a number of years after, I thought that the patient had nothing to do. I was so full of the wonders of Christian Science that I supposed the practitioner did it all, and I have often said to inquirers, "You do not need to believe." The longer I remain in Christian Science, however, and the more experience I gain, the more convinced I am that there are, humanly speaking, three factors in Christian Science healing,—God, the practitioner, and the patient. Let us consider these factors.

First, God, who is Love, who is ever present and all powerful; unchanging good,—"the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." He has created man perfect; therefore His work is finished. Second, the practitioner, whose place it is to declare the completion and wholeness of God's work. The field is filled with honest, conscientious workers, and I think I am safe in saying that with rare exceptions they have a clear understanding of Christian Science, and are able and willing to declare the allness, power, and presence of God. Third, the patient. I take it for granted that the absolute rule laid down by our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, is invariably observed, and that no one is "treated" (or prayed for) without having asked for help. This very asking is, in part, a believing in and a reaching out after a better understanding of God, but how often does it stop there? How many who seek Christian Science healing are willing to do their share? Their share consists in opening wide their thought to receive the truth,—to be willing not only to go to the practitioner and receive a treatment, but to set aside a part of each day to study the Bible, with the aid of Science and Health, its key; in fact, to make a business of assimilating the truth; to work and strive to learn what God is, what His law is, what man is; to gain the truth of creator and creation.

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