Editorial May 15, 1915 Issue

Spreading the Gospel

Archibald McLellan

Much is being said and done these days, through the press and other public propaganda, to exploit the healing of the sick by material means, and to foster the impression that only through such expedients can they be healed. The injustice of such a claim is apparent when it is remembered that for a half century the sick and the sinning in ever increasing ratio have been finding relief from ills of every kind and nature through purely spiritual methods. It surely is time, therefore, for Christian Scientists to increase their efforts to bring to the attention of the public the fact that there is a more certain and efficacious way, a way practised by Christ Jesus himself, and which therefore bears the stamp of Christianity.

The healing practised by our Master was purely mental and spiritual. That he healed even one case in this way, breaks down the assertion that material means are necessary to the cure of the sick. The same is true of the beneficent works accomplished in Christian Science. "The physical healing of Christian Science," Mrs. Eddy writes in the Preface to Science and Health (p. xi), "results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation." When, relying upon the Principle which she believed governed the healing wrought by the Master and his followers so many centuries ago, Mrs. Eddy healed her first patient in Christian Science, she broke down forever the wall built up through long ages of unbelief, and proved that Immanuel, "God with us," is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever." The fact that thousands are being healed today through Christian Science, unquestionably proves that the work which the Founder of Christianity did and commended to his followers, was not simply a miraculous interposition in behalf of a limited number and for a limited purpose.

The prominent place which the healing work occupies in the New Testament, justifies the emphasis given by Christian Scientists to the need of similar effort today, and is a sufficient answer to those who criticize the amount of space which our periodicals devote to testimonies of healing. That Jesus gave so much time and attention to this work, and his unqualified commission to his followers "to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick," leaves no room for doubt as to his estimate ofthe the importance of spiritual healing as an integral part of his gospel and essential to the Christian life. His answer to John's messengers can be construed in no other way than that by his mighty works he hoped to establish the truth of his claim to be the long-expected Messiah.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Spreading the Gospel

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access