Article December 14, 1918 Issue

Refreshed

A. WARENDORFF

A dictionary gives the following definition of the word refresh, "To revive; to reinvigorate; to restore." In the thirty-second chapter of the book of Job may be found this statement by Elihu: "I will speak, that I may be refreshed." To the writer it seemed clear after a careful study of this book, and especially the last ten chapters, that Elihu typifies Christian Science, while the three comforters typify scholastic theology, materia medica, and material science. It is Elihu who brings the message of peace to Job, and not the three comforters, who may be said to have brought only "hecatombs of gushing theories, stereotyped borrowed speeches, and the doling of arguments, which are but so many parodies on legitimate Christian Science, aflame with divine Love" (Science and Health, p. 367). Elihu unfolded to Job the omnipotence of God, His goodness and greatness, and it was this divine teaching and Job's acknowledgment of it which healed him of sorrow and disease.

Shortly after coming into Christian Science, while being treated for a disease supposedly incurable, I attended a testimony meeting. A lady rose and said she wished to tell of a small healing, the cure of chapped hands. This testimony was like a message from heaven to me, as I had suffered for many years from this trouble. Although I had been interested only a few months in Christian Science, the one talent which I possessed was employed, with the gratifying result of an instantaneous healing. I was so grateful for this experience that I determined to give my thanks publicly, hoping thereby to benefit others. I recognized that there is no such thing as a "small healing," that every instance of healing is a direct proof of the omnipotence of God and of man's at-one-ment with Him. Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 1 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" that "desire is prayer," and surely the one who has received healing is desirous that all the world should know about it in order that others may know that God is ever present to help and to heal. We read in the book of Job, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace."

What is it but the inspiration of gratitude which moves one to testify at the Wednesday evening meetings, or to give one's testimony through the Christian Science periodicals. If we turn to the fourth chapter of John we find our beloved Master was refreshed by giving the truth to the Samaritan woman. He had sent the disciples away to some near-by town to purchase food, and when they returned they found him sitting at the well talking to the woman. We then read: "In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."

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