Article October 15, 1921 Issue

Immediately

SARA FULLER KELLOGG

The opening words of the Preface to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy are, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." If there is one thing more than another upon which Christian Science lays emphasis, it is that immediate help is to be derived from it. A study of the word "immediately" in the Scriptures will show ample authority for this. It must be remembered that the Bible as a whole is the progressive unfolding of God to man. This progress of unfoldment is nowhere more apparent than in the healings recorded in it.

It is not surprising then that the word "immediately" does not once appear in the Old Testament. Not that God is not there recorded as "a very present help," but the immanence of the ever present Christ was not fully and perfectly realized until the appearance of Christ Jesus, for of him it is written, "In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." There are many instances of the recovery of the sick in the Old Testament and many others of desired good other than physical healing, as in battle and hunger, where deliverance was realized only after thought was prepared for the divine blessing. Moses' prayer to God to heal his sister Miriam of leprosy was not answered until she had been "shut out from the camp seven days" to repent. Hezekiah was commanded to "go up into the house of the Lord the third day," when his healing was accomplished. Elijah raised from death the son of the widow of Zarephath, but before his faith triumphed he felt it necessary to "stretch himself three times upon the child." Even in that wonderful story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman, packed with spiritual lessons, Elisha did not at once raise the child from death. Perception was not yet wholly spiritual, thought had not yet wholly freed itself from superstition. Throughout the Old Testament period, human thought was being prepared for the immense step forward in spiritual realization which came through Christ Jesus. Great as were the works of the prophets, they but foreshadowed his mighty works.

Jesus' mission was to reveal the divine presence. Through him faith was advanced to spiritual understanding. With him the healing of discordant human conditions was instantly accomplished. So that he demonstration of omnipresent good was immediate. "Immediately his leprosy was cleansed." "Immediately their eyes received sight." "Immediately her issue of blood stanched." "Immediately she arose and ministered unto them." With increasing awe we read these and all the other instances where Jesus simply spoke the word and instantly life and health were apparent to all. In every circumstance recorded of him, this same proof of God's goodness immediately available was made instantly manifest; so when Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also," he surely meant us to do them as he did. His disciples had sufficient spiritual understanding to render instant help in trouble.

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