Article May 5, 1945 Issue

The Asking That Unfailingly Receives

ALFRED PITTMAN

Christian Scientists recongize that Jesus in all his teaching was presenting a Science, one not less definite or dependable than chemistry, physics, electronics, or any of the so-called material sciences of today, but even more so. In their own experience, they have seen that his words can be proved proportionally as they are understood; and they have seen also that Christian Science— which has identified itself to them unmistakably as the Science of his teaching—opens the way for complete understanding of his words.

In view of these facts, the statements of Jesus quoted at the beginning of the first chapter of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy—statements which have stood as a stirring challenge to all Christians—take on an immense new, practical significance. They are: "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:23, 24).

The secret of the superb effectiveness of which the Master was speaking, and which his own work manifested, is indicated, obviously, in the words, "Believe that ye receive them." "Believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them," he said. And in the light of experiences continually recorded among Christian Scientists those five words, and especially the fact that they are in the present tense, are of the greatest interest. The passage does not say, Believe that you will receive them, but, in effect, that you do receive them. And this, precisely, is found to be the key to all Christianly scientific demonstration.

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