Editorial July 14, 1934 Issue

"What must I do ...?"

W. Stuart Booth

In the sixteenth chapter of Acts there is a brief but vivid account of the experience of Paul and Silas in a prison into which they had been thrust and bound after they had been beaten by order of the magistrates. Although such maltreatment was entirely unwarranted, the apostles evidently permitted no thought of resentment or self-pity to use them, for it is stated that at midnight they "prayed, and sang praises unto God." The mental freedom thereby indicated was soon expressed outwardly when, following a great earthquake, the prisoners' bonds were loosed. Then the keeper of the prison, after being reassured by the apostles, evidently recognized that Paul and Silas possessed a knowledge of the redeeming truth, for he fell down before them and imploringly said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Many who have turned to Christian Science for help in solving problems involving the healing of sick bodies and sick businesses, or in some cases the gaining of release from sinful, degrading, and enslaving habits, have found both instruction and inspiration in considering these words of the jailer. Two very important points are that he recognized and accepted the fact that his salvation could not be vicariously attained, and the further fact that he must express right activity in order to be saved. "What must I do ...?" he asked. Is it not possible that this jailer had heard of the wonderful works of Christ Jesus whereby he authenticated his message of peace and good will, and that he had been impressed by hearing that ten lepers had been cleansed as they obeyed the Master's command to go and show themselves to the priest? And had he heard that a blind man had received his sight after he had washed the clay from his eyes at the pool of Siloam as Jesus had instructed him to do? At any rate, the keeper of the prison indicated to Paul and Silas his eager willingness to manifest cooperative activity that he might be saved.

It augurs well for one who, in applying to Christian Science for help in obtaining release from the bonds of sin or sickness, fear, lack, or any discord, indicates his desire and willingness to do his required part. The false, material sense of self is inherently selfish and seeks to have things done for it; whereas a suppliant's willingness to cooperate evidences a response to the ever operative law of Love whence healing is evoked. In many instances this response has sufficed to enable sufferers to realize quick healings of conditions which had baffled the efforts of surgeons and doctors of medicine.

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