Article July 22, 1911 Issue

"GREATER WORKS"

H. COULSON FAIRCHILD.

When Christ Jesus told his followers that it was to be their privilege to do even greater works than those which he had done, they must have been astounded; but it is evident that they were not discouraged, for shortly after the resurrection they not only essayed to heal the sick and reform the sinning, but they actually did raise the dead; thus showing that they accepted the Master's command literally, and that it was not the opinion of the disciples that the healing power of Truth should disappear from the earth with the disappearance, to human sense, of the Master. In reading the consensus of opinion as expressed in the newspaper editorials from all over the country, it is evident that the progress of Christian Science will be judged by the proofs which Christian Scientists themselves are able to give of those "greater works" mentioned by Christ Jesus and reiterated to this age through the writings of our beloved Leader, whose works stand an eternal monument to the prophecy of Jesus.

In our progress in every walk of life there comes a time when all must meet the problems of being face to face and alone with Principle. In mathematics one student in the examination room is not even allowed to consult with another; he must demonstrate then and there how much he knows of the basic law of mathematics, and nothing can be substituted for this demonstration. In the study of music there comes a time when the student must either appear in public or before some one and demonstrate that the laws and rules of harmony are understood and can be demonstrated by him, else there would be no proof to the world whether or not he understood the science of music; and so it is demanded of Christian Scientists that they prove by their instantaneous healing of the sick or sinful their understanding of Christian Science. We must, therefore, redouble our efforts to do this thing; it must be done "quickly and wholly" (Manual, p. 92), without relapse or retrogression.

If all Christian Scientists do not actually engage to give so many hours each day to the healing of the sick, they should be always ready to take the cases that come to them, so long as these do not interfere with their other duties or obligations. Furthermore, it is necessary that they should increase their efforts to evangelize human thought, that it may be prepared to give up materialism and accept the truth. All the means so wisely provided for us must be used; we must make the most of all our Christian Science literature by circulating it intelligently and lovingly. We must be true to every demand of our church organization. If there are any today who think they can be true to the teachings of Mrs. Eddy and remain inactive or outside of the church, they are mistaken, and should wake up at once to see their mistakes. Those who devote their time regularly to healing work can well afford to insert their names in The Christian Science Journal, and this action is not to be construed as a "material means" of letting the world know we stand for the truth; it takes a mental process to achieve this result, and the result has its metaphysical significance. These are but a few of the ways in which we may prepare to do the "greater works" which are being and will surely continue to be demanded of us by a waiting world.

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