Article December 16, 1916 Issue

A Progressive Step

ADAM H. DICKEY

Our Leader was for many years deeply impressed with the thought that the Christian Science movement should have places where people suffering from ills of various sorts could retire for treatment, rest, and recuperation. The members of Mrs. Eddy's household who ministered to her needs have heard her many times express herself quite freely on this subject. She knew that patients under Christian Science treatment were at times placed in a position where they needed the care and attention of a skilfully trained person who was also a Christian Scientist. Her own experience had shown her the great need for a place of refuge to which sufferers could retire, and where they would receive proper care and attention as well as freedom from criticism while under Christian Science treatment. The purpose which the Directors of The Mother Church seek to accomplish in organizing the Christian Science Benevolent Association is one that is in direct obedience to our Leader's wishes and which had for a long time been uppermost in her thought.

The Christian Science movement has barely passed its infancy, and is only now branching out to fulfil some of the requirements that naturally fall upon it as a large and successful Christian organization and one from which so much is expected. First came the demonstration of the Principle of Christian Science in the overcoming of sickness and sin. Then came the formation of churches and the erection of church edifices, both of which have been done to an extent that has awakened the thought of the world to the importance of Christian Science as a religious movement. After this must come the establishing of what we might call hospitals or sanitariums, and the training of people to act as attendants in the sick room.

The question arises at this point and will doubtless be put to many, Does this mean that the Christian Science movement will establish schools, orphans' homes, insane asylums, and the like? This involves a conclusion which has not yet been reached, and which perhaps it would be unwise to discuss at this period, since we do not know what the future may bring forth. Mrs. Eddy waited a long time before she established The Christian Science Monitor. She also waited many years before venturing to call for the establishment of the institution which is now being launched by The Christian Science Board of Directors. She learned through experience to wait on God, and in her admonition to us she has at times expressed the thought that we as Christian Scientists should wait patiently until God moves upon the face of the waters of mortal mind before engaging in any important undertaking. In her article "Obedience" in "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says: "The disobedient make their moves before God makes His, or make them too late to follow Him. Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance" (p. 117).