Editorial December 12, 1914 Issue

Oneness with Principle

Archibald McLellan

Throughout the apostolic narratives of the New Testament it is unmistakably emphasized that Christ Jesus' preaching of the gospel of salvation from sin was coincident with his healing of the sick. How better could he answer, when he was asked to establish his claim to the Messiahship, than unhesitatingly to point to the works which he had done in proof of his divine commission!

Although well versed in the law and the gospel handed down from the time of Moses, Jesus made no attempt to argue with his questioners the validity of his claim. What need was there of words when under his tender, compassionate ministry the erstwhile blind gazed upon the glories of earth and sky, the deaf ears were unstopped that they might catch the gracious message to suffering, despairing humanity, and the lame leaped and walked, joying in their freedom from bondage! Possibly it was the remembrance of this scene, indelibly stamped upon his memory, that in later years brought forth from the steadfast James the declaration that "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

Again, when the great Teacher had nearly closed his earthly ministry, he impressed upon his followers that these same works should also be done by those who believed on him. When he instructed them to preach the gospel and heal the sick, he did not lay greater stress upon one than upon the other, but rather coupled the two as concurrent and inseparable. When we read of the works of healing wrought by these faithful ones and their successors in the next two or three centuries, we wonder that so beneficent a ministry was ever allowed to lapse. Yet in the last half century history has repeated itself: the sick are healed in Christian Science, and the indifferent and the doubting try in vain to stem the current of irrepressible, onrushing truth.

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A Daring Deed
December 12, 1914
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