Editorial May 3, 1913 Issue

OUR TEXT-BOOKS

Archibald McLellan

In the opening pages of the chapter on Science, Theology, Medicine, in the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy gives us a vivid picture of the years of persistent and painstaking research whereby she acquired a demonstrable knowledge of the Principle and rule by which the sick were healed and the sinning reformed, not only by the Master and his immediate followers, but by the faithful who, in fulfilment of the great Teacher's promise, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also," likewise trusted in the omnipotence of Him "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." With an unfailing trust in God, she patiently wrought her appointed task, until the time came when, as she tells us on page 110, "the Scriptures were illumined; reason and revelation were reconciled, and afterward the truth of Christian Science was demonstrated."

We who today are the beneficiaries of the wonderful truth again made available to mankind through this labor of love, should never lose sight of the lesson that this narrative, so simply yet convincingly told, conveys. For hundreds of years the Bible, the inspired Word of God, has been the text-book of the Christian church, and yet, for only a brief period was the Master's command when he sent forth the seventy, "Heal the sick ... and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you," understood in its rich fulness of purpose, namely, that "it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." Christian people had come to believe that the truths of the Bible, so far as the healing of the sick was concerned, had become a dead letter, and it remained for the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science to open the blind eyes and unstop the deaf ears, to proclaim to all mankind the present-day efficacy of Jesus' teachings, and to prove her faith by her works. So, too, must her every follower demonstrate in works of healing the "reason of the hope" that is in him.

With the apostle Paul, Mrs. Eddy believed in preaching "the unsearchable riches of Christ," and in ordaining the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as the forever pastor of the Church of Christ, Scientist, "our only preachers" (Quarterly, explanatory note), she gave her approval to these books as the acme of Christian Science teaching. Not only this, but she admonishes those who teach this healing truth that they "shall steadily and patiently strive to educate their students in conformity to the unerring wisdom and law of God, and shall enjoin upon them habitually to study His revealed Word, the Scriptures, and 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures' " (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 315).

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