KINSHIP between Christian Science and the primitive Christianity of the first three centuries is established by the test which the Master himself promulgated for all time: "Ye shall know them by their fruits." Not that there have not been earnest Christian men and women in the intervening centuries, but up to the time of the discovery of Christian Science by Mrs. Eddy in 1866, the "signs following" — the proof of "the Lord working with them, and confirming the word" — except in a few isolated instances have been conspicuous by their absence.
After all, it is this confirmation of the word, the practice which proves the precept, that has won for Christian Science and its adherents the respect and confidence of the people. It is recorded of Jesus that he healed all manner of diseases, and relying on his promise that they who believe on him shall likewise be able to demonstrate the unchanging power of Truth, Christian Scientists have fearlessly faced the problems presented to them, recognizing neither the so-called incurable cases of materiel medica, nor the seemingly hopeless conditions of human need from its multiple standpoints, as beyond the helping hand of omnipotent and ever present Love. They have proved beyond a doubt, both for themselves and for others, that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
One has but to scan the pages of our periodicals or listen to the testimonies at the Wednesday evening meetings to realize how this confidence in God's unfailing goodness has been rewarded. From the time Mrs. Eddy first put her discovery of "the law of God, the law of good, interpreting and demonstrating the divine Principle and rule of universal harmony" (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 1), triumphantly to the test in the healing of sickness, down to the present day, it would seem as if practically every phase that error could assume has been encountered and overcome in Christian Science. Yet in the face of all this evidence, in the face of the psalmist's declaration of an ever merciful and beneficent God, "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases," there are still so pitifully many who hesitate to entrust their case to a practitioner unless they can be shown a parallel case that has been healed.
