Article March 16, 1912 Issue

THE VALUE OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

JANE G. ROEBER.

Those working along the lines of Christian Science, especially those who devote their entire time to the treatment of disease, frequently meet with a reluctance, on the part of those receiving help, to make a just return for services rendered. This reluctance may not always appear on the surface, nevertheless it may be one of "the little foxes, that spoil the vines,"—the insidious suggestion which would prevent the full recognition of benefits received. Such half-hearted appreciation of work done may try to reason that the modest sum which may have been paid for Christian Science treatment is adequate compensation for services rendered, believing that in making this return one had fully discharged his duty, thus weighing the spiritual in the balance with the material. Such a one fails utterly to apprehend the meaning and significance of a genuine Christian Science treatment, its higher values to the one seeking help and to the whole world.

Take the case of one who comes asking for his first treatment, often in great doubt and trembling. He has but one desire, as a rule, namely, to be relieved of his physical distress. He thinks this may be a system of healing superior to materia medica, but his sole aim in coming to the practitioner is to have his mortal body healed. The treatment is given, a few minutes of absolute consecration to good and communion with God; but, marvelous to relate, it effects a great change,—peace of mind suddenly becomes his. He feels a strange new confidence that "underneath are the everlasting arms," and he freely admits the experience of a great uplift, a new desire to know and understand God.

Going home, he seeks his Bible (unused, perhaps, for years), and in his eager search for Truth it becomes his daily companion. The correlative statements of Truth in our text-book also appeal to him, and a feeling of great wonder and gratitude fills his heart, for he is confident that he has found the "pearl of great price," and his new-born desire is to share it with others.

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