Article January 7, 1911 Issue

"THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD."

AGNES GARFIELD SMITH

One of the most disheartening fallacies which has long held the Christian world in bondage is the belief that under some circumstances the laws of God and the laws of health necessarily conflict, and that when they do seem thus to conflict, one owes it to himself to obey the laws of health. In fact, to do otherwise is universally considered evidence of a lack of common sense. If this be true, then the Founder of Christianity showed less discernment than any other teacher before his time or since, for he recognized the laws of God only, and to these he rendered entire and ceaseless obedience.

Just what all the laws of health are supposed to be, it is impossible to state with accuracy, for this is a subject on which no two individuals probably ever held exactly the same opinion, and furthermore even those general laws of health regarding which most people agree, are so constantly changing that they are as difficult to keep up with as fashions in clothes. It is not the purpose of this article to discuss why and how such beliefs as these ever came to be accepted; it is enough to say that they have no sanction from the teachings or life of Christ Jesus, whose mandate was: "Take no thought for your life," but "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness."

It may be said, however, that this statement should not be taken to mean that Christian Science advocates any unnecessary exposure to dangers of any kind, but it does advocate a fearless obedience to the laws of God; and if this obedience means that one must sit in a draft, go without sleep and exercise, or expose oneself to contagious disease, then Christian Science says, in the language of the psalmist: "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."

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