It is cause for rejoicing that the time has long since passed when the healing and regenerating power of Christian Science can be doubted or scoffed at. Thousands of authentic cases of such healings are available through the well-known channels of the Wednesday evening testimony meetings, the weekly and monthly periodicals issued by The Christian Science Publishing Society, and the personal experiences which students of Christian Science are always happy to tell to each other and to all who may be seeking light on the subject. None who really wish confirmation of the efficacy of this teaching will be turned away unsatisfied, for the proofs are abundant and right at hand. Toward the close of Jesus' work here on earth he gave the promise, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth . . . he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The statement that this promise has been fulfilled in the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy is fully substantiated by its innumerable proofs, the signs which were to follow those who understand Jesus' teachings.
Christian Science has therefore, as divine authority for its claims, the life, teachings, and demonstrations of Christ Jesus; his command, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," and his promise, "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." In these instructions we find no intimation that the works Jesus had been performing were the result of something that belonged to himself alone or to that period only, but "to all the world," and "to every creature." Were it otherwise the condition of Christendom would indeed be pitiable, for it would be of little benefit to learn of those who had been healed of sickness and freed from sin, could not the same power be utilized now.
These facts have become quite generally recognized by the alert thinkers of many Christian denominations of the present day, and it is gratifying to see the awakening that is going on along this line of reasoning. But the question now necessarily arises, what was the power that Jesus understood so well and exercised so efficiently? That it must have been based on demonstrable Principle is apparent by reason of its unfailing and sure results; fundamental Truth must always have existed and can therefore never fail to function. That Christian peoples living during the centuries that have followed the time of Christ Jesus have so fallen away from his teachings and example as to fail completely in complying with his entire doctrine of salvation,—salvation from sickness sorrow, lack, and death, as well as from sin,—must be because they have failed to understand and practice this Principle, and not because it has become inoperative or weakened to the least possible degree. Even now that the awakening to this fact is taking place, there must be a reaching out for the truth, for truth's own sake, rather than the mere desire for ecclesiastical monopoly or rivalry, else the mistakes of the past centuries will be repeated, and humanity will be in a worse plight than before there was held out to it the promise of a present-day salvation.
