In the endeavor to express our mental concepts there is often a keen sense of the inadequacy of speech fully to define them. Nevertheless, this does not justify us in manifesting a poverty of expression, or in using that which is ambiguous, obscure, or erroneous. Hence the necessity of submitting our methods of speech as well as action to the most careful scrutiny, choosing only the fittest and best, and discarding all that is inferior. It is as important that progress be made along this line as any other, and if we watch carefully we may find many expressions that we can well afford to lay aside for those which are better.
In the relation of experiences in Christian Science the term "impersonal healing" is used frequently, and it is a question whether or not it really conveys the thought intended. The Standard Dictionary defines the word impersonal as "not having or implying personality." If this definition is to be accepted, there can be no such thing as impersonal healing, unless we can conceive of healing as afloat in the atmosphere somewhere without any relation whatever to any person.
Healing always implies some person healed, therefore in the exact sense no healing can be impersonal. This, of course, cannot be the sense in which the term "impersonal healing" is used, although it would be implied according to the Standard definition. What, then, is meant? From the nature of the cases generally cited, the phrase evidently is used to indicate that no intentional or consciously directed effort has been made on the part of one person to heal some specific ailment in some other person. Cases of healing generally referred to as of this class are such as may have resulted from listening to a Christian Science lecture, from a conversation with a Christian Scientist regarding an ailment when treatment was not asked for, or from the reading of Christian Science literature, especially Science and Health, or some other work by its author.
In the first two instances there is a person involved in both sides of the case, a person making a special effort, and a person benefited. Is it not rather far-fetched,therefore, to term such healing impersonal? But what shall we say of that healing which comes through the reading of Christian Science literature? This leads us to the most important point of all; viz., that the true method of healing has been revealed to this age through a person, because in no other way could it be brought to the consciousness of mankind.
In Newcastle-on-Tyne in the north of England there stands a structure, a majestic milestone, marking the first great stride in the astounding progress of modern civil engineering. When Robert Stephenson undertook the erection of the High-level bridge in Newcastle he was scoffed at by one half of the people and wondered at by the other, but that did not prevent the successful accomplishment of the work. Of course no one claims that Robert Stephenson invented or even discovered the laws of leverage, etc., involved in the structure, neither is it inferred for a moment that he actually built it. He simply gained such an understanding of the basic laws of mathematics pertaining to statics that he rose to the situation, and because he understood, he could be positive and persistent in demonstrating the fact. But while it was the law of mathematics, not Robert Stephenson, which made the work possible, no one thinks of saying that the "High-level" is an impersonal bridge, or that its erection was an impersonal work. The High-level and Robert Stephenson stand as one in thought, and, while that bridge is small compared with some of the mammoth structures of to-day, its builder takes his place as the pioneer in railroad bridge building. He was the first one to raise thought to a sense of power and execution in that line, and no one else ever can have this distinction. So it is with a Columbus, a Newton, a Franklin, a Watt, a Morse, or a Fulton, and thus it is in the establishment of Christian Science healing.
The gospel of healing as it was understood and practised by Jesus and his immediate followers had been lost for ages, until through the personal experience and effort of Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, the understanding of Truth which heals sickness as well as sin has again been revealed to the world. This revelation has been made through the pages of a book, written by this consecrated, self-sacrificing woman, amid trials, struggles, and tears, but with the ever-absorbing desire and prayer that it might redeem, bless, and heal, mankind. And yet there seem to be those who would take that book from her hands, read it, be healed by it, and then exult in the claim that their healing was impersonal. Suppose a drowning man should have a rope thrown to him by a friendly hand and be pulled to shore with great effort. Would we not be surprised to hear him attribute his salvation to the impersonal impulses of human nature, disregarding the one who had proved himself such a good friend?
Even the healing seemingly effected by Christian Science practitioners has a higher sense of personality behind it than would attach to their feeble efforts. When Peter and John healed the lame man at the Gate Beautiful, Peter answered the people, "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?. . . the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus;. . . and his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong." They themselves recognized the healing as resulting from the personal life-work of him who had founded and established this healing method. So all true Christian Scientists to-day recognize that the degree of understanding they have gained, and through which they have been able to heal and bless their fellows, is due to this same Christ-truth which has again been brought into touch with humanity's need by one who grasped this higher and fuller consciousness of God.
But, it is asked, how then do you distinguish between healing which is the result of a directed personal effort and that which is not? In reply we might ask "Is it the directed personal thought that heals, and is it confined to the person addressed alone?" If so, it is not Christian Science healing, but a mere transference of mortal thought, mortal mind cure. Christian Science healing is the declaration of truth, and the healing influence of the truth expressed in thought, word, or action will heal all who are reached thereby and are ready to hear and understand. If a teacher shows one pupil that two times two are four, and another looking on and listening learns the same fact at the same time, are we to say that the second pupil was fortunate in gaining his understanding impersonally because he was not the one directly addressed, or because the teacher did not know he was listening, or because two times two are four is an impersonal fact anyway? What other ways are there of gaining the understanding that two times two are four except through the direct or indirect personal efforts of some teacher? This does not mean that the directed personal thought of the teacher inoculates the mind or thought of the student, it is but the simple declaration of the truth.
It may be argued that if it is impersonal Truth which heals, then the healing must be impersonal; but is it the impersonal Truth that heals or the understanding of that Truth? Infinite Truth has always existed, hence all sickness must always have been healed if it is the impersonal Truth that heals per se The need of healing shows the need of understanding or knowing Truth. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The Truth makes free only as it is known. Whether this knowledge is imparted through a lecture, a conversation, a treatment, or through a written statement, there is a personal effort made on one hand and a personal benefit received on the other in every instance, and the healing resulting therefrom can scarcely be designated as impersonal.
We are told by Luke that Zacharias, filled with the Holy Ghost, prophesied concerning John the Baptist, "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give the knowledge of salvation [science of heelth, Wicliffe's translation] unto his people." Every revelation of Truth to the world has been clearer than that preceding it. The truth as revealed to this age through the personal life and labor of the Founder of Christian Science, and so amply expressed in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," brings the knowledge of salvation, as of old, to all who are willing to hear and understand.
The crew of a vessel at sea, being famished for water, hailed a passing vessel and asked for help. The welcome words came floating back "Dip and drink." They were in the course of a great river and literally sailing in an ocean of fresh water while suffering from thirst; but they were ignorant of this, and the message brought them the knowledge of salvation. Isaiah, the personal mouth-piece of Truth to his age, said, "Ho, every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, . . . yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Jesus said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." And again, to John in Revelation, "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." In the Preface of Science and Health, (p. xii.), Mrs. Eddy says, "In the spirit of Christ's charity,— as one who 'hopeth all things, endureth all things.' and is joyful to bear consolation to the sorrowing, and healing to the sick, —she [the author] commits these pages to honest seekers for Truth." In all ages every revelation of Truth has come through some person who has attained that spirituality of thought which enabled him to express the Divine law. The revelator is necessarily identified with the revelation; and we should not attempt to separate the beneficent influences of such revelation from its God-appointed channel by claiming to receive it impersonally.
