Editorial March 15, 1913 Issue

PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY

John B. Willis

Christ Jesus was a reformer in the best sense. He was not only moved by the sympathy which immediately stretches forth a helping hand, but he recognized the cause of human ills and addressed himself intelligently to its removal. His remedy was vital and therefore permanent, and it is our privilege and business to continue to manifest this compassionate and genuinely healing love, to have and exercise that intelligent, all-inclusive, and all availing spirit of philanthropy which shall heal not only every disease, but every situation, correct every wrong in human affairs and conditions, and thus inaugurate the reign of righteousness among men.

So-called Christian philanthropy has proved ineffective for the reason that its ministry has been so superficial, it has not eradicated that which conduces to injustice, the cause of suffering; while on the other hand radical reformers have lacked practical wisdom. They have often been but "inspired visionaries," seeing the ideal, and dying for it, perchance, but quite incapable of leading men, step by step, to its attainment. Christian Scientists are called to follow Christ Jesus in the expression of a brother-love which is bothe alleviating and corrective. They are to be scientifically sane as well as sympathetic in their ministry to men; and this calls for a knowing of the truth respecting the causes of abnormality, an uncovering of the tap-root of every injustice and iniquity. Indeed, to be a Christian Scientist means to be a constant seeker for cause. (See Science and Health, p. 170.)

In the story of the good Samaritan Jesus illustrated the modus of practical Christianity. The poor man's sufferings were seen and relieved, but this did not content his benefactor; on the contrary, he identified himself with the wounded man's situation, took him up and carried him out of robber-land. Human philanthropy has done much in the way of the hospital and soup-kitchen; it has been thoughtful for the victims of injustice; but it has usually left the wrongdoer and his means of wrong-doing undisturbed, hence, as in all the years, the cry of the afflicted and the wronged is still heard. Christ Jesus and his disciples resisted the evil itself. They went behind the phenomena of human sense and relations and dealt with the explanatory facts, and this it is ours to do. We are to know the secret of error, as well as the law of Truth, so that we may be savingly scientific in dealing with every ill, whether personal or social.

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