Editorial March 16, 1912 Issue

"SEEKETH NOT HER OWN"

Archibald McLellan

If any warrant for the healing of sickness as a natural and inevitable part of Christianity were needed, it is easily found in the words and works of Christ Jesus,—in his reiterated instructions to his disciples to heal the sick, in his own demonstrations of the power of God to heal all manner of diseases which constituted his answer to John's inquiry if he was indeed the promised Messiah, and in his parting instructions to the disciples at Bethany. It was in these final words particularly that the Master made it clear that this healing work was for all mankind, and that it was to be carried on for all time, or so long as the need for it existed; and it is because Mrs. Eddy, through her discovery of the Principle and rule which governed the healing works wrought by the early Christians, was able to demonstrate the truth of this declaration of the omnipotence and ever-presence of the Father that "doeth the works," that Christian Science has taken its place in the religious life of today in every continent of the world. Conceding, therefore, not only the legitimacy, but the necessity for a continuance of this healing work, inasmuch as humanity is still struggling against the onslaughts of evil,—sorrow and suffering in its many phases,—it behooves the professed followers of the Master to be guided by his example in their relations with their fellow men. Writing on this subject, Mrs. Eddy says: "Great charity and humility is necessary in this work of healing. The loving patience of Jesus, we must strive to emulate. 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself has daily to be exemplified" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 7).

As we study the career of the master healer, so briefly and boldly outlined in the gospel narratives, no one characteristic is more clearly presented than the divine compassion, so all-embracing that there was none so lowly, none so vile, who, honestly seeking, ever failed to receive the desired blessing. The nobleman's son, the ruler's daughter, the blind beggars by the wayside, the repentant thief on the cross,—these are but isolated instances in the multitude of sick and suffering ones for whom his heart overflowed with love and compassion. How pitiful and patient he was with the shortcomings of his disciples,—checking the impetuous Peter, chiding the doubting Thomas, rebuking the self-seeking of the sons of Zebedee, yet loving them ever and always with that sympathetic tenderness which, penetrating the veil of human weaknesses and imperfections, revealed the perfect man of God's creating.

How clear, then, in the light of his example, is the lesson of the new commandment,—"that ye love one another,"— love the erring and unfortunate, the sick and suffering ones of earth, ministering to their necessities, binding up their wounds, soothing their griefs, in the spirit of him who declared, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Out of the many who have come into the joy and peace of Christian Science under the stress of mental or bodily suffering, there are few who do not remember with gratitude those who were instrumental in guiding them to this sure haven, but there is need to remember that this gratitude finds its truest expression in loving service to one's fellows, in sharing the blessings received.

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