Editorial October 29, 1949 Issue

SELECTION UNCONFINED

George Channing

The Christian Science healer selects his patients. Although willing and eager to offer his prayer for the healing of every human being, he nevertheless does not treat men and women promiscuously. Neither did Christ Jesus. "Not every one," warned the master Christian (Matt. 7:21), "that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Why this preferential approach to salvation? Are there persons outside the scope of redemption destined inevitably to stay there? Why, in further pursuit of clarity, should there be an apparent contradiction between the "not every one" just quoted from the Founder of Christianity and his "every one" recorded in the eighth verse of the same chapter, "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened"?

Even a cursory examination of the two statements discloses the answer that the password to the kingdom is the asking. There must be a desire, however dormant, for spirituality, a conscious love of God, however undefined, in the heart of everyone eligible to succor in prayer. No one can turn to God and be turned away, but turn everyone must lest he miss the open door.

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