Editorial April 19, 1947 Issue

How Good Are Our Treatments?

John Randall Dunn

What student of Christian Science has not been confronted, again and again, with the discouraging suggestion that his efforts to practice Christian healing are not of the highest order, and that he is not giving good Christian Science treatments! To discover the whys and wherefores of his difficulties, he is apt to neglect the two sources of light to which he should turn instantly, namely, the Bible and the works of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy.

In these inspired writings one may find a blueprint for successful healing practice. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Christ Jesus clearly sets forth the Christian human footsteps which must be taken by those who would call themselves his followers; and in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and her other writings Mrs. Eddy points out the need of rugged honesty, moral rectitude, and Christly humility for those who would undertake the sacred ministry of healing. Is it not significant that the first six pages of the chapter entitled "Christian Science Practice" in Science and Health deal wholly with the Scientist's preparations of the heart before the modus operandi of the healing work is touched upon? Therefore, before one goes into the question as to the power and the efficacy of his treatment of the sick and sinning, let the searchlight of honest inquiry first be directed towards the thinking and living of the practitioner.

Suppose someone approaches a Christian Scientist for treatment and it is soon evident to the Scientist that a great deal of his patient's physical difficulty has been brought on by extreme selfishness and an unlovely temper. But suppose also that on that very day the Scientist himself has given way to anger and vexation over some problem, and has not quickly met and mastered the error and expressed heartfelt contrition therefor. Could he consistently, and with a sense of Christian power, approach the mental home of his patient with healing prayer? "First cast out the beam out of thine own eye," said the Master (Matt. 7:5), "and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
Time Illuminated
April 19, 1947
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit