AT the opening of a new year it is customary to review the work of the preceding one, to estimate its gains and losses, and to learn from its experiences how to provide for greater usefulness and better results in the future. While it is true that experience is invaluable as an educator, Christian Science shows the need of such a knowledge of Truth as will render the mistakes of past experience unnecessary. The teaching of Christ Jesus was ever marked by clearness and definiteness, and he wasted no words in conveying his thought. It remains for us, therefore, so to understand him that we may effectively "work the works of God," since it is clear that this points to something far beyond outward phenomena, however wonderful, and that "creeds, doctrines, and human hypotheses do not express it, much less can they demonstrate it" (Science and Health, p. 98).
Inasmuch as no professed Christian can ignore the direct and unequivocal statements made by the Master, it would seem that our deepest interest should center in his works, since he himself attached so much importance to them, indeed, made them the final argument both in his discussion with opponents and in the instruction of his disciples. When assailed by ignorance and malice he had but one plea to offer in justification of his course; namely, his works. When he sent out his disciples on their wonderful mission, he commanded them to preach the gospel and heal the sick; that is, to pursue his method of work. John the Baptist evidently expected much of him, but being himself the son of a priest, he probably looked for the uplifting of the national standard through orthodox ways and means. It is apparent from the narrative that John was disappointed in the course pursued by Jesus, and questioned his Messiahship. What if, after all, the wonderful portent at the baptism, and the voice from heaven, were without significance? When he sent for some word which would resolve his doubts, he was told of the mighty works of healing which were being done. This, and nothing more: and how in keeping with the whole career and teaching of the Master was his answer. There is something so pathetic in our Lord's repeated reference to his healing that we do well when we pause to see how we may best appropriate with devout love and gratitude what so many have blindly refused. In words of tender entreaty he explained his mission by saying, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work;" "The works which the Father hath given me to finish . . . . . bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me;" again, "The Father that dwelleth in me. He doeth the works "If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not;" also, "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake." Besides all this, he said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do."
The text last quoted is a perpetual stimulus and inspiration to the Christian Scientist, for he finds therein a demand for nothing short of perfection in all that he attempts. Think of it for a moment "greater works than these"! Measured by human standards it would be impossible to surpass the wonders wrought by Christ Jesus in his dominion over the so-called forces of nature, and in the healing of the sick, the giving of sight to the blind, of hearing to the deaf, of life to the dead.
