The public services of the Christian Scientists are unique in this, that while the Sunday service is devoted to public teaching from the two recognized text-books, the Bible, and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," it has been arranged by the author of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy, that the midweek meeting shall be a public occasion when those who have been blessed by Christian Science may assemble to glorify God. It is many times recorded in the Bible that those who were healed by Jesus or by his disciples recognized the true power at work and "glorified God." Where there was such a recognition one can see why the healing would be permanent, since the knowledge of God retained in consciousness would be like a new life, purging out the errors which produced discord and illness. Progress from disease into health certainly indicates gain in life when the progress results from spiritual means; and Jesus speaks of the ultimate of such healing through Science, the right knowing of God, when he says, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." Were healing a miracle or mystery, as charlatans who claim to heal by secret or occult methods would make it, there would be no one universal God to be recognized who both "forgiveth all thine iniquities" and "healeth all thy diseases." Instead there would be an indefinite series of personal healers, to whom the sinner could secretly go for license to sin by gaining relief from the suffering which follows its practice. How clearly there appears the wisdom of that plan which assembles those healed by the scientific method, so that they may establish their healing by recognizing its source, and thus encourage those who doubt and hesitate so that they too may advance into the peace of trusting and loving God.
On his last journey up to Jerusalem, when he had reached the borders of Galilee and Samaria probably, ten miserable men, outcasts from society because of their leprosy, made their appeal to Jesus. The graphic story tells how, as he was entering a village, they "stood afar off" as the law which separated them from society required, and that he might notice their need "lifted up their voices." Visitors to the Orient have spoken of the pitifully unhuman sound of the leper's voice when asking alms to support a life whence all hope is gone; but surely there was hope in those tones of appeal which said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." There must have been faith, too, for when he bade them go and show themselves to the priests, they at once obeyed; and "as they went, they were cleansed." Let us grant that there was hope and faith exhibited by these men, and inquire if love was now felt because of the healing that came. In one case out of ten. yes; and possibly where least love might have been expected. "One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God;" and in recognition of the human instrument through whom the divine Principle had been revealed, he fell down at the feet of Jesus "giving him thanks." Then said the Master to him, "Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." Twice before he had used this expression in regard to the healing of sickness, to Bartimaeus when he received sight, and to the woman who intercepted him on the way to the house of Jairus and was healed of her incurable malady. Once he used it in regard to relief from sin, when the woman who was a sinner anointed his feet at the house of Simon the Pharisee. Surely in all these cases he saw faith ripened to some understanding of good as Principle, and therefore akin to love that "never faileth." Blind faith may stumble, and need to be uplifted again and again, but when faith is insight the heart glorifies God as the source of good and gives thanks to His agent, the son of man, by whom good is made known. To such faith no obscuration can come; by it the sufferer is made whole.
But meantime, "Where are the nine?" How pathetic that inquiry! "Were there not ten cleansed? said Jesus; and noticing that the one thankful man was a Samaritan he expressed his surprise, saying, "But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger." Why did he desire the return of the nine if not for their own good, that they might through the expression of love advance their faith into assurance, and thereby be made whole through such recognition of the power which healed them as would make them glorify God and give thanks to His servant? When such faith is gained it cannot be shaken, for it is that knowing of God which "is life and peace."
