Editorial January 6, 1917 Issue

Practice and Profession

Archibald McLellan

Putting into practice the sublime truth of Christian Science, rather than merely assenting to this truth as an abstract proposition, is the primary need, as Mrs. Eddy so clearly points out on page 24 of "No and Yes," when she writes: "There was never a moment in which evil was real. This great fact concerning all error brings with it another and more glorious truth, that good is supreme. As there is none beside Him, and He is all good, there can be no evil. Simply uttering this great thought is not enough! We must live it, until God becomes the All and Only of our being." Mrs. Eddy's statement is clearly in line with the Master's admonition to his followers, when he said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;" and these two sayings, taken together, give food for thought to every sincere seeker after truth in Christian Science.

One's quest must, however, follow a logical sequence. Seeking for the material things of earth—health, wealth, ease—will not lead us to that which alone can satisfy, namely, "the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." The Master's promise that "all these things shall be added unto you" was contingent upon a pure desire for good, an unselfish seeking for righteousness, a willingness to leave all for Christ, an understanding faith in God which illumines the pathway of the saint and brightens the lives of all with whom he is brought into contact. This must be the mental state of the Christian Science practitioner if he is to do those mighty works which Christ Jesus said should follow them that believe, and it should also be the mental state of the patient if he is to receive that instantaneous and permanent healing desired by both practitioner and patient.

This does not mean that Christian Scientists should refuse to treat patients unless they first profess faith in the power of Truth to heal and a willingness to give up all their erroneous beliefs and practices. It was after the healing work had been wrought that Jesus, finding the erstwhile important man in the temple, said unto him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." It is in fact an important part of the practitioner's work gently, helpfully, and compassionately to direct and encourage his patients to help themselves to live Christian Science, and because through the power of God they have been "made whole" to accept Him as "the All and Only" of their being.

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