Spreading the Gospel

Archibald McLellan

Much is being said and done these days, through the press and other public propaganda, to exploit the healing of the sick by material means, and to foster the impression that only through such expedients can they be healed. The injustice of such a claim is apparent when it is remembered that for a half century the sick and the sinning in ever increasing ratio have been finding relief from ills of every kind and nature through purely spiritual methods. It surely is time, therefore, for Christian Scientists to increase their efforts to bring to the attention of the public the fact that there is a more certain and efficacious way, a way practised by Christ Jesus himself, and which therefore bears the stamp of Christianity.

The healing practised by our Master was purely mental and spiritual. That he healed even one case in this way, breaks down the assertion that material means are necessary to the cure of the sick. The same is true of the beneficent works accomplished in Christian Science. "The physical healing of Christian Science," Mrs. Eddy writes in the Preface to Science and Health (p. xi), "results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation." When, relying upon the Principle which she believed governed the healing wrought by the Master and his followers so many centuries ago, Mrs. Eddy healed her first patient in Christian Science, she broke down forever the wall built up through long ages of unbelief, and proved that Immanuel, "God with us," is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever." The fact that thousands are being healed today through Christian Science, unquestionably proves that the work which the Founder of Christianity did and commended to his followers, was not simply a miraculous interposition in behalf of a limited number and for a limited purpose.

The prominent place which the healing work occupies in the New Testament, justifies the emphasis given by Christian Scientists to the need of similar effort today, and is a sufficient answer to those who criticize the amount of space which our periodicals devote to testimonies of healing. That Jesus gave so much time and attention to this work, and his unqualified commission to his followers "to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick," leaves no room for doubt as to his estimate ofthe the importance of spiritual healing as an integral part of his gospel and essential to the Christian life. His answer to John's messengers can be construed in no other way than that by his mighty works he hoped to establish the truth of his claim to be the long-expected Messiah.

The testimonies published in our periodicals are the voluntary expressions of gratitude from thousands of persons who have learned through experience that the healing of the sick is again being made a part of Christianity; and that Christianity in this regard is as certain in its effects today as it was in the first three centuries of its existence. When we say that Christian Scientists should increase their efforts to bring a knowledge of this fact to the public, we do not mean that they should offensively or inconsiderately thrust their views upon those who are not ready to receive them, but we do mean that they should actively support and make use of the various means which our Leader has instituted for the spreading of the gospel of Christian Science.

Christian Science must establish by practical work its right to be considered apostolic Christianity, and it is the privilege of its adherents to make known to a needy world the "fruits" of this teaching,—the sick that have found surcease from suffering, the sinning from whom the shackles of evil habits have been stricken, the sorrowing who have been comforted, and those who have found love, joy, and peace where hatred and strife once held sway. Mere intellectual or perfunctory theology is not doing and never can do the work of Christianity; something more and better is needed if humanity is to be saved. "There is but one way to heaven, harmony," Mrs. Eddy tells us, "and Christ in divine Science shows us this way" (Science and Health, p. 242).

Christian Scientists have learned that this work of spreading abroad the gospel of healing can be done, and they avail themselves of every legitimate means of carrying this message to their fellow men. The Sentinel, the Journal, and the Herold contain in every issue testimonies of those who have been healed through Christian Science, and every Christian Scientist can easily find opportunities for more widely distributing these periodicals, established one after another by our Leader for the dissemination of the truth that heals and saves. Let us one and all be obedient to her counsel (Science and Health, p. 570) to give to the "weary wanderers, athirst in the desert . . . a cup of cold water in Christ's name."

Archibald McLellan.

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