Editorial October 19, 1912 Issue

"REAL STRENGTH"

Archibald McLellan

In every movement, whether it be religious or otherwise, there is a tendency to gage its success wholly from the material standpoint, that is, to measure its importance by its numerical, social, or financial strength; and this all too common tendency, so far as it has a bearing on Christianity, is recognized and rebuked in a recent issue of the British Congregationalist, from which we quote the following paragraph:—

"It should be clearly and definitely stated and acknowledged that the strength of the Christian church never was and never will be primarily a numerical or a financial strength. It has been in character, in faith, in courage, in piety, that the real strength of the church has consisted; in a word, the history of Christianity has been the supreme example of the truth that in the long run it is quality that tells."

By narrowing the application of this statement to the past and present of Christian Science, we can see wherein the great strength of this movement has been, and we can also see wherein its future is assured if the same spirit of unselfishness, faith, humility, and righteousness with which our Leader was so splendidly endowed, shall continue to animate her followers. It is not of such great importance that a vast multitude shall call themselves Christian Scientists, as it is that those who take upon themselves this name shall be truly Christian, in that they shall yield full obedience to the commands of the Master and thereby be able to do the works which he did and which he declared should be the tokens of discipleship, the "signs" which should "follow them that believe."

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