Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-15
FAITH NOT REQUIRED
TO BE BENEFITED BY
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
HOPE TO RECEIVE HELP ALL
THAT Is NECESSARY
Imperative That Persons in Need Be
In Position to Be Aided by
Trial Of Mrs. Eddy's
Belief

| 1t Is often asked how much faith is
necessary on the part of those who
would turn to Christian Science for
help. In one sense of the word faith
is not required. This has been proven
in many instances where the sick have
turned to Christian Science as a last
resort and have been healed even
though they had but little faith, If
any, in this method of healing. Per-
haps the hope that they would receive
help was the extent Of the faith they
possessed. However this hope was
not of itself sufficient to merit and
receive the blessing. The condition of
thought must have ben such that it
was possible for them to be brought
into harmony with Truth and Love
which is the only healing influence re-
cognized in Christion Science
While faith may not be required yet
1t, is most necessary that those who
desire help shall be in a position to be
helped. Mrs. Eddy writes: Late in
the nineteenth century 1 demonstrated
the divine rules of Christian Science
They were submitted to the broadest
practical test, and everywhere, when
honestly applied under circumstances
where demonstration was humanity pos
sible, this Science showed that Truth
had lost none of it's divine and healing
efficacy"
Error Must Be Removed
Isaiah wrote, Your iniquities have
separated between you and your God"
some error Of thought separates man
from good. This error whatever it is
must be removed. 1t may be said that
this much is required of those who
turn to Christian Science for help, hon
esty and sincerity of purpose and above
Willingness fn a 1aH in ad1 g
way. The desire to be healed does not
always imply willingness to part with
all errors Of belief that have operated
directly or indirectly to occasion the
discord or have prevented it's destruc-
ton.
1t is evident that Jesus recognized on
the part of those whom he healed a
mental and moral condition that made
possible the demonstration of Truth
When He said to the woman, "Thy
faith hath made thee whole" he did
not mean to say that she was healed
by reason of her understanding of
Truth. The word faith as used in the
Bible does not always mean under
standing. 1t sometimes refers to that
condition of thought which has turned
toward the Truth, and while it does not
understand yet 1t has confidence and
relies upon Truth for the help that is
needed. Such was the mental condi-
tion Of the woman referred to. Jesus
understood how the sick were healed,
and when he said to her, "Thy faith
hath made thee whole" he meant that
she was in the right mental condition
to receive the blessing of Truth. The
healing was accomplished through his
understanding, ! 1t the condition of
her thought made it possible.
Willingness to Yield
It is said of Jesus that in a certain
locality "he did not many mighty
works there because of their unbelief."
1t must not be inferred that he will
ingly turned away from these people
and withheld the blessings he could be-
stow, simply because they did not be-
leve as he believed. The Master was
able and willing to help them as he /
had helped others, but their own con-
dition of sin and unbelief withheld
them from the blessings of Truth at
that time. They were not willing to
turn from error to Truth. The Master
knew what was required, so he turned
from them and went to those who were
to receive him.
Such an one was this woman. She |
had grown weary of the sense of ma
She was willing to lay down |
all for Truth. This willingness to yield |
to the divine and the sincere desire for |
good was the measure of her faith. |
Such faith as she possessed is greatly !
needed, for it turns thought from mat
ter to Spirit. This is the first step to
be taken in gaining the understanding |
Of Truth. When this position is reached |
the disciple is ready to begin the great
work of demonstrating the power of
good to heal sickness and sin.
On several occasions Jesus said to
those who appealed to him for help,
According to your faith be 1t unto
you." It Is not to be inferred that Jesus
n any sense withheld the blessing or |
:paringly bestowed 1t according to the
measure of their faith. He gave free
Y. His realization of the presence and II
bower of God was in no wise affected
1y their thought, but the blessing they II
-eceived was according to their fitness.
To be ready for the blessing of Truth
ioes not necessarily mean a certain de-
,ree Of moral goodness already attained
'or suffering from sin may cause the
sinner to SEX relief from 1t. Neither
loes 1t mean that there must be an in
ectual proficiency, for in that case
hose most in need of help would many
lines be deprived of it. There must
,e a sencere desire for good and a
to part with evil, moral as
veil as physical.
In whatever condition a man seems
o be today there is where his work
must begin, and Truth is able to help
lin. He will be rewarded according to
lis deserving. Day by day he will
earn what is required of him, and tn ,
blessing he receives will be in pro-
portion to his faithfulness in meeting
he divine requirements. - Christian
Science Monitor.