Article February 18, 1911 Issue

IS GOD ABLE TO DELIVER US?

EMMA JULIA NORTH.

Most Christian Scientists are asked at some time for an answer to the following question: "If God does not know evil, how is He to deliver us from it?" The writer has found the following thoughts especially helpful in replying to this question.

Suppose a little child to be very much afraid of the darkness. In his terror does he cling to another child who may be equally afraid? Does he not rather call out for mother or father to come to him? Either of them, having no fear, can smile at his trouble, and lovingly soothe him out of it. Suppose, on the other hand, the case of a physician who believes himself to be afflicted with an incurable disease. A patient comes to him for help, in whom he recognizes the symptoms of the same dread malady. Under such conditions has this physician the requisite understanding and courage to meet the trouble? Does the blind man ask another blind man to lead him? Nay! but one who sees, for otherwise will they not both "fall into the ditch," as the Master said?

So, when we are in belief afraid, or sick, or blind, we go to our heavenly Father, who has said, "Let him take hold of my strength,"—the strength of Him who knows no fear, no sickness, no blindness. In Christian Science we understand why God is able to deliver us, and how "divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494). These thoughts can but lead us to the inevitable conclusion that the Christian Science practitioner must strive to purify himself from the belief in evil, in order that he may be a transparency to reflect divine Love and its strength to his patients; that he may say with Sir Galahad:

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