Article January 6, 1912 Issue

THE SIGN OF THE CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST

AMY RUTH WENZEL.

Through the russet and gold of an October afternoon, a party drove, glad in the unwonted liberty of outdoor motion. Among their number was a Christian Scientist, who, while enjoying with the rest the charm of the beautiful day, felt a bit apprehensive as to what awaited her at the end of the road. When finally the company stopped and alighted, some bent wholly on pleasure, the others in a measure dependent on their will, a lady said to the apprehensive one, "You would like to see that woman who is a Christian Scientist;" and turning to those who had come out to greet their guests she said, "Where does Mrs.—live?" "In the next house," came the ready reply. "Climb in again," said a man, "I will drive you there." And the wondering Scientist climbed in.

For years she had known vaguely of this solitary student, but had found no way of reaching her, and at this particular time was not thinking at all of her. Yet all through those years she had cherished the hope that some day they would meet. Fittingly, at this season of fulfilled promise came the autumn of her hope, and with it a tender rebuke of her recent misgivings that aught but good might be waiting at the journey's close. Of the delight of that meeting, and of the happy interchange of thought and experience. it is not necessary to write. Suffice it to say that these women, deprived for many months of the comfort of freely speaking of their beloved faith, voiced only "the joys and triumphs" (Science and Health, p. 41) which had been their share. On that quiet Wednesday, enfolded by the blue peace of the sentinel hills, they held a testimony meeting. And the Christ was there "in the midst of them."

The Scientist returned to her excursion friends quietly, but her glowing gladness could not be concealed, and her friends gazed in amazement as they plied her with questions. Afterward, one asked, "Had you met that woman before? Or have you a sign?" The questioner was of course answered in the negative, and a prayer-guarded effort made to dispel the evident impression that there was something secret and mysterious about Christian Science and its adherents. But the question, "Have you a sign?" recurred persistently to the Scientist, compelling attention and analysis. What was it that established instant confidence between two erstwhile strangers, meeting unexpectedly at a lonely farm-house, and made them friends? And the answer came, The sign of the Christian Scientist is spiritual love, that understanding, even in a degree, of perfect Love which removes all fear.

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