Thursday, March 18, 2010

Persistently Walking Straight Down The Line

I have recently been reading, with pleasure, Sentinels from the mid-50's. The sedate C.S. publications of those years up until the last decade or two of the century contain thousands of still-uplifting and inspiring articles and testimonies. They were, in a memorable line from the movie "Double Indemnity", "straight down the line". It has also been gratifying to read of physicians who had the honesty and humility to give full credit to Christian Science for accomplishing what they could not or did not. It sometimes seems that Christian Scientists today are cowed by the power and glory which modern medical practice has arrogated unto itself and deferentially fold their tents and break camp before the self-righteous bullying of the medical community.

Those who bow down to the god of medical practice and materia medica, as did Caspar and Max before Samiel in Weber's opera "Der Freischutz", are, often unwittingly, making a Faustian bargain with the Dark Side. The first six of false belief's magic bullets may indeed seem to make the suffering party well. The seventh, though, belongs to mortal mind and permits it to collect on the agreement, but its price is terribly high. A timid resignation to the wide and easy medical byway will eventually be subject to all the fine print in such compromises. In answer to Christ Jesus' question "Will ye also go away?" one should rather, like Simon Peter, answer "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."

Note: I didn't recall that Gregor Samsa became a cockroach, but didn't research the matter thoroughly. I also concur in the observation that Henry Drummond's "The Greatest Thing in the World" is tres cher. It should be in any Scientist's library, particularly since Mrs. Eddy gave it her warmest recommendation.

18 comments:

Faithful viewer said...

A wonderful essay, blogger. Really got a lot of good from this.
Thanks much,

London (UK) said...

Another extremely well thought out essay. And so well written. A pleasure to read, I assure you.

New England CS said...

So fresh, so uplifting, so glad I got onto your website!

Helen said...

Bless you, Christian, for giving out so many good blog posts. A real help to me, and to many I am sure.

Thanks from California said...

I always look forward to your next blog post, and I wasn't disappointed with this one. I found it quite strong, just like those early periodicals you mentioned.

L.R. said...

You're the best out here where writing about Christian Science is concerned. At least, that's my opinion of it.
Keep it going!

Anonymous said...

I'll just bet you have a book published, if not more than one. Only wish I knew your name so I could look it up.
Alas, you wish to remain private, so I'll just enjoy your writing here for the time being.

With my appreciation said...

I love that part about someone who compromises with materia medica being subject to the fine print. Well put, blogger.

E. W. said...

You are so good at blogging on Christian Science topics. It's no wonder you're so widely-read and admired!

Midwest said...

Good job, writing on metaphysical topics,that is to say, Christian Science. You do cause me to think about things more deeply, and I usually learn some new words from reading your website.

Midwest said...

What's going on here? I just posted a comment and it didn't take (?) Let me try again.

Midwest said...

I see my last comment made it on, so will relay the gist of what I wanted to tell you, blogger. Your blog posts cause me to think about CS issues more deeply, and I almost always learn some new words. A worthwhile website for all earnest students of CS.

Northeast CS said...

I like the quotation from our Master when he asked his disciples if they would desert him, too. Like them, where else would we go if we abandoned CS? Too scary for me to think about.
Like your writing a lot.

Dorothy (PA) said...

God bless you, Christian, for using your talents in such an uplifting work.
Have a happy day (wherever you are)

Phoenix, AZ said...

One thing I know from reading your excellent blog posts for many months, you certainly are not going to be one who walks not with Christ anymore.
Thanks for all you sharing with us,

Riverside, CA said...

I second what the previous commenter said. (Would love to know which country he or she is from?)
You write so welll, Christian.

With my thanks said...

Just the other day I heard on our local radio station here in West Virginia about a poor young man who had become addicted to one of the more popular medications he took for pain. He feels his life is ruined, and he's only around 30 years old. Just can't break the craving for this drug. I felt such gratitude for Christian Science and was so glad a relative happened to mention it to my father when he needed help badly. He found healing and began a study of CS. How much Mary Baker Eddy has done for mankind in showing them how they can rely on God for healing!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on having such a lively, well-read website. You are doing our Cause a great service. Glad a friend recommended your blog to me.