University of Virginia Library

Jesus' teaching belittled

Why has this Christian demand so little inspiration

to stir mankind to Christian effort? Because men are assured that this command was intended only for a par- ticular period and for a select number of fol- lowers. This teaching is even more pernicious than the old doctrine of foreordination, - the election of a few to be saved, while the rest are damned; and so it will be considered, when the lethargy of mortals, produced by man-made doctrines, is broken by the demands of divine Science.

Jesus said: "These signs shall follow them that be- lieve; . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Who believes him? He was addressing his disciples, yet he did not say, " These signs shall follow you," but them- "them that believe" in all time to come. Here the word hands is used metaphorically, as in the text, "The right hand of the Lord is exalted." It expresses spiritual power; otherwise the healing could not have been done spiritually. At another time Jesus prayed, not for the twelve only, but for as many as should believe "through their word."