Editorial October 3, 1914 Issue

Active Service

Archibald McLellan

Notwithstanding the call to active, positive demonstration of Christian Science which pervades Mrs. Eddy's writings, there are yet many that have been healed in Christian Science who fail to realize the necessity for work and study on their own behalf. As a consequence, they go on from year to year simply as somebody's patient; in other words, they have transferred their former allegiance to the family doctor and the ways of materia medica to the practitioner of Christian Science. Instead of helping themselves and others, as they might do if they were willing to devote the same amount of earnest application to the acquirement of an understanding of the teachings of Christian Science which they have given to gain proficiency in some new art or worldly accomplishment, they are content to be mere recipients, forgetting the Master's injunction, "Freely ye have received, freely give."

To such as these Mrs. Eddy's words, "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work—work—watch and pray'" (Messages to The Mother Church, p. 20), should be a call to action. Through this work and study they will find that "God is no respecter of persons," and that He does not withhold from them that diligently seek Him the understanding which they need in order to do His work. They will also find that He does not require that He shall be approached only through a selected mediatory class or priesthood. He is the Father of all, and all are equally His children—"heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Just as the little child turns to father and mother, strong in its faith that they are able to do whatever is asked of them, why should not we children of a larger growth confide in the omnipotence and omnipresence of our Father-Mother God, knowing that when we ask aright He does hear and answer prayer?

On page 452 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "Expect to heal simply by repeating the author's words, by right talking and wrong acting, and you will be disappointed. Such a practice does not demonstrate the Science by which divine Mind heals the sick." Again, she writes on page 350: "To understand all our Master's sayings as recorded in the New Testament, sayings infinitely important, his followers must grow into that stature of manhood in Christ Jesus which enables them to interpret his spiritual meaning. Then they know how Truth casts out error and heals the sick. His words were the offspring of his deeds, both of which must be understood. Unless the works are comprehended which his words explained, the words are blind."

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