Editorial April 10, 1915 Issue

"Confirming the word"

Archibald McLellan

Notwithstanding the general and rapid growth of Christian Science throughout the world, attention is occasionally called to some city or town wherein there has seemingly been little or no progress made in the years in which this religion has been making great strides in near-by places. Such a condition as this has usually caused those primarily interested, to question themselves and others as to the probable reason of this lack of success. Just what has hindered progress in any particular instance is something which might be difficult to determine, but there are some general phases of belief which may well be taken into account by Christian Scientists who are seeking the reason for the stagnation which they see and feel in their own community.

Usually the first among these phases is the belief that there is no "practitioner" of Christian Science in their field, and that no one has the ability or right to do healing work unless he is so labeled. The consequence is that instead of wrong conditions being promptly and effectually met, as they might and should be, little or no healing is done, and the failure on the part of those who are known to their neighbors as Christian Scientists to give signs that their religion is of practical value in surmounting the difficulties of modern existence, is naturally a hindrance to the growth of Christian Science. This seeming inability to practise what is preached,—to bear witness to the sincerity of one's profession,—is a serious matter, and one to which every Christian Scientist should not fail to give earnest consideration. If there are no "signs following" the preaching of this religion, it is at least inferential evidence to the onlooker that there is nothing present but the letter of its teaching.

Jesus said of his followers, "By their fruits ye shall know them," and it is especially incumbent upon Christian Scientists that they show forth signs of the "unlabored motion of the divine energy in healing the sick" (Science and Health, p. 445) which was so distinctly a part of our Master's ministry. Ability to do this is not confined to any one person in any community, since it is certain to follow an understanding of the great truth of being upon which Mrs. Eddy has founded Christian Science. Prophets and apostles alike learned the lesson that "there is no respect of persons with God," and there is no reason why any one today should believe that he may not through faithful study and practice of this Science become a healer of the sick. Our Master's teaching in practical operation, as taught in Christian Science, will inevitably result in the healing of the sick; and it is only through demonstration of the redemptive power of the gospel of Christ Jesus, that the world will learn that this gospel is as available today to meet human needs as it was at the beginning of the Christian era.

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