A Religion of Work

Archibald McLellan

Our Master warned his disciples, and through them all mankind, against the dangers of mere profession, saying, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." He was insistent upon the necessity for activity in the doing of the mighty works which he performed and which he commended to his followers. Mrs. Eddy also had laid great stress upon the necessity for this same activity in well-doing, and has reemphasized it in the saying, "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work—work—watch and pray'" (Message to The Mother Church for 1900, p. 2).

Christian Scientists understand the value of the Wednesday evening meetings as a means for bringing to the attention of those in need knowledge of the efficacy of Christian Science in the healing of disease, and they will appreciate the following simple statement taken from the testimony of a woman who during the space of several years had been under the care of four different physicians, only to be informed by the last of these that her case was hopeless and that she must make up her mind to go through life suffering from the disease for which she had vainly sought relief all this time; in brief, that nothing more could be done. Her statement is : "Soon afterward, my attention was called to Christian Science, and I attended a testimony meeting. I was so much impressed by what I heard that I decided to apply for Christian Science treatment. My healing was not quickly accomplished, but through treatment, with earnest study on my own part, I am healed and regenerated, quickened to a new understanding of life of God. I have also had the joy of seeing three members of my family become earnest students of Christian Science as a result of my healing."

In this instance the Wednesday evening meetings fully justified our Leader's foresight in establishing such means for proving that Christian Science is a religion of work, — of practice as well as of preaching. It is because Christian Science is of this character that it takes its place as the Christianity established by Christ Jesus. Few outside of Christian Science realize that these testimony meetings are among the greatest marvels of the age. Remembering that they are held in more than fifteen hundred cities and towns throughout the world, and that each week fully ten thousand persons speaking at these meetings testify to their healing in Christian Science, it is not to be wondered at that the sincerity of these persons, and their gratitude so earnestly expressed, should impress their hearers with the value of this religion in the daily affairs of mankind.

Unquestionably it is the wide-spread longing for relief, for a lifting of the burden, that brings so many inquirers to the testimony meetings, and it is the high privilege of every Christian Scientist to be a witness for Truth at this service of thanksgiving. Perhaps a testimony is to be given; and if we remember that what we have to offer "of love and light" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 149) may be to some one just the word of proof that will turn the scale of decision to try Christian Science, then very simply and plainly we shall tell what Truth has done for us. It may be our contribution is to be only a loving thought, yet every needy one is included in this reflection of Love, for "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals" (Science and Health, p. 13). Did we fully realize the value of these meetings in replenishing our own store of understanding, as well as in what we can contribute to that of others, there would be no question as to our rightful place and action on Wednesday evenings.

There is no doubt but that many are turned to Christian Science and led to seek the help of a practitioner, as was this lady from whose testimony we have quoted. It thus becomes incumbent upon practitioners to see that those who come to them are given such care and attention as will meet their need. The Christian Science practitioner has a duty to his patients beyond the mere healing of their physical ills, which may be merely the meeting of temporary difficulties. He must turn their thought to God and to the study of the Bible and Science and Health, enabling them to work out their own salvation, and likewise giving them courage to spread abroad the "good news," thus reaching others who are in as great need as they themselves once were.

Archibald McLellan.

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