Article September 28, 1935 Issue

Chapter XVIII: Fruitage

LOUIS SEABER

Considering the extreme care which Mrs. Eddy exercised to make her meaning clear, one cannot conceive of her having inserted a final chapter in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," containing testimonies of healing, republished from The Christian Science Journal and Sentinel, unless she had an important object in doing so. What then is the value of Chapter XVIII, called "Fruitage," to the student, especially to one who has proved many times in his own case the virtue of Christian Science teaching?

It is obvious that Chapter XVIII has a special value for one who is reading Science and Health for the first time, whether he be incredulous or hopeful. Wherein does it have its appeal to others? This chapter is "for the assurance and encouragement of the reader," Mrs. Eddy explains in her introduction (Science and Health, p. 600). The "reader" is neither specified nor qualified; hence, the simple inference that this chapter, testifying gloriously and convincingly to "the healing efficacy of Christian Science," is for all students at one time or another. But it may be asked, Wherein is its particular value? By way of answer, note that these pages contain the spontaneous testimony of men and women who, it is said (ibid.), "have been reformed and healed through the perusal or study of this book." There is the sign of value, very practical value.

If these men and women in different parts of the world, afflicted in divers ways, could thus prove their faith by obtaining healing for themselves, through the study of this book, and often without so much as an encouraging word from an interested friend, without the privilege of attending a single church service, visiting a Reading Room, or hearing a lecture, how eagerly should others strive toward more earnest, honest, trust-inspired study! Here, then, is the call to every student to prove his faith by demonstration, in full reliance on the "infinite Love which alone confers the healing power" (ibid., p. 366). Thus may everyone realize, as never before, "the great possibilities of man endued with divine Science" (ibid., p. 445).

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