Article September 29, 1917 Issue

Command and Promise

OLIVE ALLISON

Once an elderly woman left her native state and lived for a number of years in a distant part of the country. Later she returned to her former home, looking so much younger, healtheir, and happier than when she left, that one of her friends remarked to a Christian Scientist, "I wonder if she has taken up your faith, she is so greatly improved in every way." Such statements are not unusual, because it is generally known that Christian Scientists are a healthy and happy people. They are so because Christian Science teaches them the right solution of every life problem. They need only demonstrate obedience to divine commands in order to receive the fulfillment of God's rich promises.

Jesus gave the world both a command and a promise when he said, "Ask, and it shall be given you." Those who desire the fulfillment of the promise would do well to grasp the significance of the command. To ask does not mean an attempt to compromise with the demands of Truth or to dictate to the Almighty. That is what people do who make remarks like the following: "I shall be grateful if I am healed;" "I shall believe in Christian Science if it benefits me;" "If there is anything in this teaching I should have been healed by this time." Those persona are not asking anything of God. Asking expresses desire, and as Mrs. Eddy says, "Desire is prayer" (Science and Health, p. 1). Asking implies meekness. It implies that one knows enough to be "poor in spirit," for of such Jesus said, "Theirs is the kingdom of heaven." A petitioner is always a dependent. Even Jesus acknowledged his dependence upon God, for he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing;" and again, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

Those who would follow the great Wayshower do not err when they become petitioners of God. They should however be sure that they are seeking aid from God alone. He who looks to materiality for protection is not truly asking God for that protection. If health is sought in drugs, it is not being sought of God. The mere asking of God for something should signify confidence that He will grant the request. Such trust in God obviates the necessity of looking to another power for aid. Supplication is the simplest form of prayer. Its place in the life of the beginner in Truth should not be ignored, for it is the first step toward the realization that what he asks for is really his and needs only to be accepted. Those who have not realized in their lives the fulfillment of the promise, "It shall be given you," should earnestly attempt to discover wherein they have failed to obey the command "Ask."

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