Editorial June 25, 1910 Issue

"THEM THAT BELIEVE."

Archibald McLellan

It is a notable fact that Jesus had promised his followers that certain signs should "follow them that believe," these same followers "went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." Thus was the truth of our Master's teachings immediately made manifest, and the seal of actual demonstration placed upon the works of those who, however timidly they may have undertaken this work, nevertheless believed in the healing power of the truth which had been preached to them and exemplified in their sight.

As has often been pointed out, this promise to "them that believe" was not restricted to those few who then listened to the Master's words, but it was given for all time and for all peoples. That many have interpreted Jesus words in the limited sense of applying only to those of his immediate following is to be regretted, but fortunately for the early Christians this belief had not gained headway in their time, and it is a matter of historical record that the healing work which accompanied the founding of Christianity was successfully practised by them, even to the raising of the dead. Origen, who lived in the first half of the third century and was one of the fathers of the Alexandrian Greek church, thus writes of the works of the Christians of his time:—

"And the name of Jesus can still remove distractions from the minds of men, and expel demons, and also take away diseases; and produce a marvelous meekness of spirit and complete change of character, and a humanity and goodness and gentleness in those individuals who do not feign themselves to be Christians for the sake of subsistence or the supply of any mortal wants, but who have honestly accepted the doctrine concerning God and Christ, and the judgment to come."

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