"WHO TOUCHED ME?"

"Who touched me?" asked Jesus (Luke 8:45). His disciples answered by pointing out that in the thronging crowd many were touching him. But Jesus knew the difference between the touch of the multitude and the spiritual sense, which recognized the presence of the Christ. He said, "Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."

This beautiful incident in the life of our dear Master has valuable lessons for us all. There was the faith of a sick woman who, having heard of Jesus' great healing power, perhaps realized that in accepting his word, she could manifest a holier, healthy state. The woman must have had a faith far stronger than the generally accepted sense of the word. Was it not a solid conviction? Did she not demonstrate her faith by her receptivity? According to the record, she was healed before the Master knew who had touched him; and we read his approbation in his words to her, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." These words were spoken after she had related to him why she had touched him and that she had been healed instantly.

Students of Christian Science are touching the edge of Truth's garment. They are realizing the infinitude of God and the perfection of His creation. They know that they are touching reality by the evidence of the healing today of "all manner of disease among the people" (Matt. 4:23). In Isaiah we read (43:12), "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God." We give evidence of our conviction of Truth through our application of the fundamentals of Christian Science as taught and demonstrated by Mary Baker Eddy. We prove by healing that we have touched the hem of the Christ garment, as was illustrated by the woman in Jesus' time.

To some it may seem that his words implied depletion, in that virtue had gone out of him. But this could not be so. Let us suppose, allegorically, that a stringed instrument, such as a violin or a harp, could become conscious and could speak. It might say, "Someone has touched me, for I perceive that a beautiful tone, a note, a chord, has gone out from me." This would not be depletion, for the instrument could also say: "This is my reason for existing: to send out beauty and harmony into the world, soothing and comforting. I can go on doing this for all who care to reach out and touch my strings understandingly. I shall not be depleted, for all the time I exist this is my purpose—even thousands of chords, of tones, of notes, pleasing, praising, uplifting, healing."

The first two stanzas of one of our Leader's poems bring out the thought expressed by this allegory (Poems, p. 12),

Could not each one of us represent the "waiting harpstrings"? To love means infinite giving out, much as the sun gives out light and warmth in a continuous stream which cannot be reversed or put back. As Love's reflection, man's loving is never depleted.

The writer experienced the result of touching the edge of Truth's garment when, many years ago, a distressing and so-called incurable heart condition presented itself, threatening life and career to such a degree that medical science, admittedly, had no remedy. At this stage Christian Science was offered and was gladly and willingly accepted. It was seen that God is All-in-all, and that God is good. It was also seen that nothing could be added to that which is All.

As he reasoned thus, it became clear that anything seeming to present itself in addition to the allness of God, good, was foreign to the fact of God and His kingdom and could not, in reality, be entertained. One might be led to believe that two plus two makes five, but one could not know this, simply because it is not knowable. Complete and permanent healing followed quickly.

Again, some years later, an attack of acute appendicitis presented itself. Four medical practitioners were present, including a surgeon. They had been called in against the expressed wishes of the patient. These men, after careful examination, stated that an immediate surgical operation was essential. But a very definite stand had been taken for Christian Science, and the loving service of a Christian Science practitioner had already been engaged. This was explained, and the doctors reluctantly withdrew from the case. Work was carried on in Christian Science throughout the night. By dawn the condition had entirely passed away and freedom had been established, much to the amazement of the doctors, who had been informed of the healing. Since then many healings have been experienced and witnessed, proving that the power of God knows no sense of depletion, for in the words of Hymn No. 96 in the Christian Science Hymnal,

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 165): "Goodness never fails to receive its reward, for goodness makes life a blessing. As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good. Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inquiry, What am I? to the scientific response: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing."