Article July 1, 1916 Issue

Love That Never Faileth

JOSEPH B. BAKER

In describing her solitary research along new lines of thought the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science says, "The Scriptures were illumined" (Science and Health, p. 110). Every sincere student of this Science has a similar experience of the illumination of the sacred pages, and particularly in the New Testament he recognizes Christ as "the power of God, and the wisdom of God," overcoming the false beliefs of the flesh.

To the Christian Scientist the gospel accounts of the mighty works of Jesus are full of meaning and help. "A true witness delivereth souls," says the proverb; and Christian Scientists learn humility and efficiency from their study of the Master's faithful and persistent work and his willingness to leave the result to God. Jesus declared the truth of being, and the fearless testimony that he gave in a world of fear, ignorance, and sin was twofold in effect. It established the new dispensation called Christianity in confirmation of his triumphant declaration, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away," while it reformed the sinning and healed the sick in many immediate instances.

In the healing of the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, as recorded in the fifth chapter of John, we see a highly instructive example of the direct and effective work of the great Way shower, marked by insight, compassion, wisdom, and authority in the truth. Among the multitude of "impotent folk" that lay about the pool the Master accosted one man who was ready to receive that more abundant life which it was his mission to impart; one who was responsive to his impressive manifestation of the Godhead. It is narrated that "when Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?" The student of Science notes the significance of the man's reply, — a response which shows the same receptivity as that of the centurion, as that of the woman who touched the hem of the Master's garment, as the vigorous declaration of Peter, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," and as that of the many others in this day of the world-wide practice of Christian Science. He also notes the operation of the same unerring insight on the part of the great Metaphysician in reading the thought which lay behind the eager words.

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