Firm Adherence to Truth

There is no more beautiful story in the Old Testament than that of the Shunammite woman whose little son had, to mortal sense, passed on, and who sought the prophet Elisha in her distress. In the Biblical account she is designated as a “great” woman. Evidently she was not great as the world counts greatness. It does not appear that she was wealthy or that she occupied any position of special prominence in the community, for it is intimated that her husband was a reaper. Her greatness apparently had no relation to worldly eminence, but consisted of that inestimably worthy attainment, the ability to discern the efficacy of spiritual power. A very brief acquaintance with the prophet led to the perception that he communed with God, and that through this communion he was able to utilize the divine power to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.

The remarkable feature of the story is the reply of the woman to the servant of the prophet when he inquired, “Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child?” for her answer was, “It is well.” To mortal sense the child was dead. The mother undoubtedly loved him with a true mother love, and yet she answered, “It is well.” After several thousand years of progress there are multitudes to-day to whom the mother’s statement is incomprehensible. To those, however, who have learned to recognize the imperishable nature of the real man, the statement is neither heartless nor untrue, but implies perception of the healing truth which enabled the mother to behold her son restored to life.

What was it impelled the woman to return an answer in direct variance with the evidence of material sense? She had long observed the life and works of this man of God. To her he was the avenue through which divine power was manifested. Therefore, when the seeming bereavement came her first thought was of him, and her first impulse was to seek his aid. So absolute was her trust and so steadfast her faith in the power of the prophet’s prayer that the belief of death was overcome for her even before the prophet had spoken. Her trust was not misplaced, for through close communion with God the prayer of understanding was answered, and the child, alive and well, was restored to his mother’s arms.

The innumerable demonstrations of healing through the understanding of Truth as taught in Christian Science emphasize the fact that all mankind to-day may place the same confidence in the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy as the Shunammite woman placed in the word of the prophet Elisha; for the teachings of Christian Science open the door of revelation to this age, and thus render available the same healing power as that demonstrated by the prophets, and by Jesus and his immediate followers. To those who are striving faithfully to live in accordance with this more complete unfoldment of the old-time religion, the answer, “It is well,” is clearly understood as a simple, positive statement that no death, no parting, no bereavement, can exist, even in belief, where the light of God’s healing and saving presence shines through the clear prism of one made pure by a close and intelligent communion with the one indestructible Life.

To many the logic of the preceding statement is clear, and its truth is readily admitted, but it is a much more difficult matter to put it to practical use. When the seeming discords of mortal sense surround us on every hand and thrust themselves into our experience, it is not easy to say “It is well.” The writer studied Christian Science for many months before he clearly realized that perfection is a present reality. His thought was, “Christian Science will help me, and I shall be better,” or, “This difficulty will be overcome if I just keep on studying Christian Science.” The results of work undertaken from this standpoint were not encouraging, but suddenly the revelation came that postponement of healing to the future was making the error a present reality. With this clearer concept of the unreality of error came also the understanding that Christian Science treatment is not the struggle for some far-off Utopia, but is simply a realization that harmony is here and now. This improved understanding marked the beginning of a series of successful demonstrations over errors that before had seemed difficult to overcome.

Every student of Christian Science, at some time or other, comes face to face with a supreme experience, and there may be a tendency to falter under the impression that his understanding is insufficient to cope successfully with the seemingly powerful error. His statement, “It is well,” may be uttered with trembling lips and with feeble trust. To such a one the words of promise given by Mrs. Eddy should afford encouragement, and enable him to meet every discordant circumstance with the utmost confidence. On page 462 of Science and Health the sure fruitage of faithful adherence to Truth is expressed in the following words: “Some individuals assimilate truth more readily than others, but any student, who adheres to the divine rules of Christian Science and imbibes the spirit of Christ, can demonstrate Christian Science, cast out error, heal the sick, and add continually to his store of spiritual understanding, potency, enlightenment, and success.”