"God made medicine"

CONSTANCE A. HUNT

"Shall students of Christian Science become subscribers to group medical service?" is a question more and more frequently asked. Each individual student confronted with this question must find his answer through reliance on God's guidance. The writer's experience is related to show how through trust in God her way was made plain.

To the personnel of the office where the writer is employed, an offer was made: If each employee would subscribe for the services of a specified medical clinic, at a nominal fee, the office would pay half the cost of such a fee.

The writer's first impulse was to sign the petition. "But," prompted the "still small voice," "for that same amount of money you could pay for a year's subscription to The Christian Science Monitor." Thought was awakened to see that action could not be based merely on the amount of money involved. The answer lay much deeper.

Then suggested the tempter, "Because of all the firm has done for you, you should be willing to co-operate in signing the proposal." For a time this seemed to be a reasonable argument, for it was true that many blessings had come to this employee from her association with the organization. Fear also argued that one's employment might be jeopardized, and that it would not be wise to take a stand against certain persons who were involved. Once again the "still small voice" was heard. Whom do you serve— Principle or person?"

The words of Joshua were recalled as he reproached the children of Israel for their unfaithfulness (Josh. 24:15): "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Finally it was clear that the time had come to lay aside human reasoning in order that spiritual understanding might reveal the correct answer to the question. Enlightenment was sought through a study of the references to the word "medicine," in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Here were found such statements as these: "God being All-in-all, He made medicine; but that medicine was Mind" (p. 142); and, "Truth is God's remedy for error of every kind, and Truth destroys only what is untrue" (pp. 142, 143).

The answer was very definite. One must be obedient to the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Obedience would be accompanied by complete protection.

All sense of fear left the writer, and she returned to her work confident that God would "see her through," since she had decided to take her stand for what she knew was right.

Days passed and the subject was forgotten. Actually, as it turned out, one hundred per cent participation was not required. Those who had signed the petition were given the service they desired; those who had not were not even approached for an explanation of their failure to comply.

Let no one fear to take his stand for Principle; God will protect and direct his steps.

"And blest is he who can divine
Where right doth really lie,
And dares to side with what seems wrong
To mortals' blindfold eye.

"For right is right, since God is God;
And right the day must win;
To doubt would be disloyalty,
To faller would be sin."

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