Article May 19, 1923 Issue

Publishing Salvation

CHARLES HENRY PHILIPS

It is recorded in Mark's gospel that upon a certain occasion the Master came into the country of the Gadarenes, and was there confronted by one who, being insane, dwelt among the tombs, and was so uncontrollable that no one could bind him, even with chains. Jesus, however, seeing the extremity of his plight, commanded the evil beliefs to come out of him and to enter no more into him. Thereupon the afflicted one was immediately restored, and sat at the feet of Jesus, "clothed, and in his right mind." He afterwards requested of Jesus that he might remain with him, but the Master "suffered him not," asking him to go home to his friends and to tell them what great things the Lord had done for him. The Gadarene departed, and began to publish in Decapolis the good tidings of his healing.

The keynote of Jesus' ministry of healing was the destruction of all ungodlike thinking, in order that his Father and our Father might be more abundantly and completely glorified, and His kingdom established on earth. Hence he knew, as no one else has ever known, that the healing of sin and sickness through spiritual understanding clears one's vision to see and understand God still better. In acquainting ourselves with God, health (holiness) is being gained, and we apprehend that which was prophesied of John the Baptist in his mission of preparing the way for a fuller realization and expression of the Christ, Truth,—"To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins."

Certainly the Master, with his wondrous compassion, tender love, and patient forbearance, healing all manner of diseases as he went up and down through Judea, not only was publishing this "knowledge of salvation" but was likewise giving the people unmistakable proofs of its efficacy and surencess. And in showing them the things of God, His name was being exalted in thought, praise being given where it rightfully belonged. The most convincing and far-reaching testimony of which we have any record was the one which occurred when two of the disciples of the Baptist came to Jesus inquiring as to the verity of his works; and he answered, "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up." He gave no lengthy disquisition as to his method of healing; nor was there timidity or reluctance to withhold the true facts of his divine mission. Just a plain, sincere, truthful reply to the questioning thought, which was uncertain as to whether this was really the Messiah. And this healthful message of salvation has been ringing down the centuries, feebly heard, and at times scarcely comprehended at all, until the advent of Christian Science, through which the same mighty works are again being accomplished by the utilization of the understanding of the allpower of God, good, to nullify and destroy every mental activity which does not measure up to the standard of the divine requirements.

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