Article July 7, 1917 Issue

Casting Out Evils

MARY A. DAGGETT

The familiar motto on the Christian Science text-book, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons," is a reminder that this entire command of Jesus is in force today as much as in the day when it was spoken. The belief has however been more or less prevalent that it is impossible for us now to obey these commands. It has, moreover, been believed by some that none are possessed of devils at the present time; but Christian Science is exposing the demon beliefs of today, and bringing to light the Christpower to cast them out. It is showing that evil beliefs, besetting sins, bad habits, and even other human traits and customs not generally regarded as sinful, often grow so strong as to dominate or possess a person, and become devils indeed, as those who come in contact with the individuals can testify.

It is recorded in the book of Acts that many people listened to Simon the sorcerer, because for a "long time he had bewitched them with sorceries." Then the true Christian preaching of Philip the apostle caused these "unclean spirits" to cry out and come out of their victims. Incidentally, even the sorcerer recognized the power of Truth, and was finally led to ask the disciples to pray for him. This is a significant fact for us to meditate upon. In Isaiah we read: "The Lord shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the Lord, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them." We thus see that there are at least two ways in which people may become possessed of devils; one by self-mesmerism, and the other by being mesmerized or "bewitched" by another.

In the gospels we read that Jesus of Nazareth cast out devils. One possessed of a legion of devils recognized the Christ-power, and voluntarily came to be healed. All Bible students are familiar with the story of this glorious healing. Others besought Jesus to leave them, and not to "torment" them before the time, for his very presence rebuked the evil and caused the beginning of its destruction in suffering. Jesus cast out seven devils—words which express the sum total of all evil—from Mary Magdalene, who was afterward the first to behold the risen Christ. She felt from the beginning his wonderful spiritual attraction; she saw the beauty and power of the spiritual idea of Love, and this turned her in loathing from her sins. Jesus doubtless saw her spiritual possibilities and upward tendencies, and also that she was able to perceive the nothingness of error and to rise above it.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Casting Out Evils

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access