There is a great stir going on in public thought today concerning the subject of Christian healing. But this stir need not be detrimental to the growth and progress of Christian Science or of Christian Scientists. Mrs. Eddy uses the word stir numerous times in her writings. And while stirring is not always necessarily pleasant, the outcome can be favorable. Mrs. Eddy explains in Science and Health: "In Isaiah we read: 'I make peace, and create evil. I the Lord do all these things;' but the prophet referred to divine law as stirring up the belief in evil to its utmost, when bringing it to the surface and reducing it to its common denominator, nothingness. The muddy river-bed must be stirred in order to purify the stream." Science and Health, p. 540.
The current state of world thought, with all of its unhappiness and pain, could certainly be described as muddy. And we can also see the very real need for purification. Mankind is trying to find satisfaction and safety in a material world that can offer neither. If people are spiritually stirred up and shaken out of their comfortable acceptance of the material status quo, this is actually beneficial to both the individual and the world.
Although there were times during Mrs. Eddy's establishment of the Church of Christ, Scientist, that attacks made on the movement appeared to cause setbacks, in each case the spiritual growth of the movement was actually forwarded over the long term. Similarly, we can be sure that any "stir" going on today will inevitably "purify the stream." And as we firmly hold to the fact that evil is actually nothing, we won't be dismayed or discouraged by the stir.
