"Hear these imperative commands"

Duncan Sinclair

CHRISTIAN living cannot be regarded otherwise than seriously. By that is not meant that the life of the Christian should be joyless—quite the reverse. But while joy and gladness should be much in evidence, there should also be the recognition that the Christian life ought to be characterized by deep earnestness and tremendous sincerity. Otherwise, one may, as it were, only be playing with the great truths of Being; and in doing so be virtually mocking at what should be to him the most sacred things.

The position of the Christian is very clearly set forth by Mrs. Eddy on page 37 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," where the duties incumbent upon him are specifically stated. Mrs. Eddy writes: "Christians claim to be his [Christ Jesus'] followers, but do they follow him in the way that he commanded? Hear these imperative commands: 'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect!' 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature!' 'Heal the sick!'" Very definite commands of the Master, indeed! And no one calling himself by the name of Christian dare set them aside as not applicable to him.

Now it has to be admitted that many throughout the centuries since Jesus gave his message of truth and love to mankind, and demonstrated its practical nature in healing all manner of disease and sin, have striven to be obedient to what he demanded of them. They have tried, often long and strenuously, to be better than they were; they have told others what they believed they knew of God and His Christ; and they have endeavored to bring comfort to those in bondage to sickness and sin. But it has to be acknowledged at the same time that until the coming of Christian Science there was something lacking, often something grievously lacking, in their attainments; for perfection was regarded by almost all those striving ones as a state impossible of realization, or even of contemplation, on earth, and the healing of the sick as that which should be left to the materialist, although they might admit that his methods might be aided by prayer.

Christian Science has entirely altered the outlook. Jesus' words are no longer regarded as impossible of obedience, or well-nigh so; they are seen through Christian Science to be based on a profound understanding of God and His creation, and of the laws governing that creation, and, in consequence, to be entirely practicable. Christian Science declares God to be perfect, and affirms that His creation, man, must also be perfect, since cause and effect must be like. In reality, then, there is no imperfect man. This is what mortals must grasp. This is what they must understand if the commands of Jesus are to be obeyed. It is not a question of man's growing into perfection, but of our realizing the fact of man's present perfection as the idea of God. As this is apprehended and constant endeavor is made to realize it, the errors, the false beliefs, the blemishes, of a so-called material selfhood drop away, and the real and perfect man appears.

As Christian Science has changed the outlook with regard to the perfection of man, so it has altered the point of view with regard to the healing of disease. Christian Science shows that the healing of disease is a proof of spiritual understanding, and that it is therefore a duty incumbent upon all Christians to heal not only the sinful but the sick. In their Church Manual (p. 49), in the By-law entitled "No Monopoly," are these words: "All who understand the teachings of Christian Science are privileged to enter into this holy work [the healing work], and 'by their fruits ye shall know them.'" And as every member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and every member of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, must be regarded as possessing some measure of understanding of the teachings of Christian Science, every such member must hold himself or herself as privileged to engage in the holy healing work.

Christian Scientists must be on guard against the suggestions that would prompt them to neglect the work of healing the sick, or to think that as individuals they are incapable of doing so. Our practitioners throughout the world are doing splendid work along this line, but that is no reason why every Christian Scientist should not be making the task easier by carrying his or her share of the burden. And may we remember that it is the command of the great Way-shower and our privilege as Christian Scientists to do so. We know something of the omnipotence of Spirit; let us therefore translate this knowledge of divine power into terms which mortals can understand, by applying the rules which Christian Science has established, and so heal the sick. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 232 of "Miscellaneous Writings," "Spirit is omnipotent; hence a more spiritual Christianity will be one having more power, having perfected in Science that most important of all arts,—healing."

Duncan Sinclair

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