IN the parable of the good Samaritan, which Christ Jesus related to the lawyer in answer to his question, "And who is my neighbour?" it is stated that the priest passed by on the other side when he saw the man who had fallen among thieves, wounded, stripped of his raiment, and lying half dead. The Levite also passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan came to where the wounded man was, had compassion on him, bound up his wounds, poured in oil and wine, and then proceeded to take further care of him.
A student of Christian Science likened her own experience to this parable, for she had fallen among the thieves of illness, discouragement, limitation, and hopelessness. False theology left its message of resignation to the inscrutable will of an unknown God, and passed by on the other side. Medical science came and "looked on" her but could not heal her, and passed by on the other side. Then came Christian Science and compassionately bound up her wounds with the oil of consecration and the wine of inspiration, as interpreted in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (see pages 592, 598).
With joy the student saw the full significance of the experience: Christian Science had indeed taken her in and cared for her; and as she conscientiously strove to understand this wonderful truth about God, she found that she was in "the secret place of the most High," and that every need was met. She also found that Christian Science meets the financial as well as the physical need, just as in the Bible story; for as much as was needed was provided. Many demonstrations of supply were subsequently worked out in the home, showing that Christian Science provides for our human needs, solves our problems, and compassionately cares for us at all points.
