Editorial March 24, 1917 Issue

One Standard

Archibald McLellan

When Jesus sent forth the twelve disciples he gave them this comprehensive commandment: "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." This command has since been called "the great commission," and upon this great commission is largely based the authority for all Christian ministry. It must be noted, however, that before our Master commissioned these disciples to go forth, he gave them power to do the things which constituted this ministry, even the healing work which he himself had done. Matthew says that he "gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease;" in other words, he taught them how to minister to those in need: not only those who were worried or afraid about their spiritual condition and aspirations, but also those who were suffering from all manner of bodily ills.

It is upon these same lines that Mrs. Eddy has predicated the Science of Mind-healing, and that she taught Christian Scientists to minister to those having the same spiritual and physical needs today. It is also to be noted that Jesus foresaw that as ministers of Truth his disciples would be misunderstood and mistreated, therefore he warned them that because of the perversity of mortal mind they would be as "sheep in the midst of wolves," and that only by the exercise of wisdom surpassing the wisdom of this world, and by faith in God, could they escape the snares set for them. Because she too discerned the iniquity of mortal mind, and the hatred of Truth which is a part of this belief of mind in matter, Mrs. Eddy saw the necessity for preparing her followers to heal the sick and to protect themselves while so doing.

Christian Scientists have had ample reason to be grateful for the Leader's keen discernment and that she provided for their need not only through personal instruction, but also through her writings, especially Science and Health, of which she writes on page 50 of "Miscellaneous Writings": " 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures' is a complete text-book of Christian Science; and its metaphysical method of healing is as lucid in presentation as can be possible, under the necessity to express the metaphysical in physical terms. There is absolutely no additional secret outside of its teachings, or that gives one the power to heal; but it is essential that the student gain the spiritual understanding of the contents of this book, in order to heal."

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