"Heal the sick"

Archibald McLellan

Notwithstanding the belief of many religious persons, and the continued assertions of many religious leaders, that the healing works which Christ Jesus and the disciples and apostles performed at the beginning of the Christian era were intended only for a limited time and for a limited purpose, the question of spiritual healing will not down in the churches. The faith which found expression in the psalmist's words, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," has continually turned mankind to the Father for help in sickness and distress.

That this faith has not always been rewarded, has been a stumbling-block to many deeply religious people and has had much to do with the forming of that great mass of humanity so frequently and almost flippantly described by social and religious reformers as the "unchurched" portion of the world. The fact is that many of these people are "unchurched" simply because the churches have not met their needs, others through force of example, but not a few because of a feeling that without spiritual healing the churches are failing to supply a vital necessity of their members. Occasionally we find an instance where the religious leaders are recognizing these demands and striving to comply with them, and a typical example of this was recently shown in the proceedings reported in the Wellington (New Zealand) Evening Post of July 10, as follows:—

"The deliberations of the Anglican Synod were continued in St. Paul's Schoolroom, Sydney street, yesterday afternoon. Bishop Sprott presided.

"The Rev. R. H. Hobday moved: "That this Synod desires to draw the attention of the clergy and laity of the diocese to the importance of the study of the subject of spiritual healing, and recommends that a committee be set up to consider ways and means of furthering such study, and to report to next Synod; such committee to consist of the Revs. H. Watson, G. Y. Woodward, R. Bray, and E. I. Sola, and Messrs. G. G. Bridges and R. L. Button, and the mover.' In the course of the debate that ensued, the opinion was expressed that the church should take means to investigate the subject; otherwise the Christian Scientists would take away many of the present adherents of the church. The motion was carried."

The only strange thing about this is that these earnest religious men should have waited so long before making such an investigation, until they feared that "the Christian Scientists would take away many of the present adherents of the church" unless the church should make this healing work a part of its ministry. The fact that spiritual healing was accomplished by the prophets, by Christ Jesus and his disciples, and by the Christians of the first three centuries, should be sufficient to prove the possibility of this healing. That it assumed such proportions as it did in Jesus' ministry, and that he commanded the twelve and the seventy to practise it, is sufficient proof of the sanctity and Christianity of this work; but these are not the only warrants present-day Christians have for practising healing. In our Master's final words to his disciples he established for all time a test by which his followers might be known. He said: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

The early Christians accepted this responsibility as a test of their understanding, and it is recorded that works of healing, and even the raising of the dead, were not uncommon among them. That similar healing can be done at this time, and is being done, is amply proved by the experiences of Christian Scientists, and it is to be hoped that this New Zealand committee will avail themselves of the opportunity to consult with persons of this denomination on this subject, and obtain from them the reason for the faith that is in them. Unless this is done, these men will have shut themselves off from the best means available at the present time for obtaining authentic and needful information in a matter which is vital to themselves and to their church, and this surely would be a great misfortune.

Archibald McLellan.

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Efficient Forgetting

September 25, 1915

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