Article February 17, 1917 Issue

"Work out your own salvation"

MARION E. TWICHELL

Recently the writer was told by a lady who had been under Christian Science treatment for some time, of the different practitioners who had treated her and the lines along which they had worked. Then she said, "Why am I not healed; can you tell me?" At once the answer came: "It looks as though you had been using Christian Science treatment exactly as you would use medical treatment. When a pain or an ache comes to you, at once you turn to a practitioner for help, instead of to God, divine Truth and Love." Was it mortal mind, ever ready to justify itself, which prompted the reply "But I thought that was what practitioners were for!" The writer then reminded her of Mrs. Eddy's counsel: "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought" (Science and Health, p. 495). Clearly this is the first thing to do in any case, and if it be done faithfully and persistently, the work of the practitioner, if this be needed, will be effective in a way not realized by the one who fails to turn to God in the first place.

This incident brought to the writer a clearer sense of the responsibility vested in the Christian Science practitioner. Many, perhaps the majority, of the people who appeal to Christian Science practitioners for treatment, are those who have been educated from childhood to call upon a doctor whenever they were in physical need. It rests with the practitioner, then, first of all to awaken such seekers to realize that the great Physician, who heals all manner of disease, is ever present and ever ready to respond to their call. It also rests with the practitioner to give his patients "divine and wholesome understanding, with which to combat their erroneous sense" (Science and Health, p. 396). Freely and lovingly he should give his patients the simplest truths of Christian Science, to be used in hours of trial, and he should inspire and encourage them to use these truths.

No wise teacher would expect a third grade child to solve a ninth grade problem, but she has a right to expect a third grade child to solve all third grade problems. If in the progress of the work a problem comes up which seems a little more intricate, the wise teacher does not solve it for the child, but lovingly leads him into a clearer understanding of the principle involved, and almost before the pupil knows it he has solved his own problem. As it is with the child at school, so it is with the young student of divine Science. Each time he goes to a practitioner for help he should come away not only with the seeming difficulty cleared up, but better still, with enough more understanding of Principle to give him courage to take up the cross daily from a higher standpoint.

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