The House of Defence v. 1Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic)
Science
The House of Defence v. 1
Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic)
Christian Science -- Fiction; England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction; Spiritual healing -- Fiction
"Why, certainly I will," he said. "But if I am to make him better, you
mustn't, while I am treating him, whether you think he is improving or
not, send for the doctor. There must be none of that. I will go to him
if you wish, but if I go the case is in my hands--no, not that, but
under the direct care of Divine Love. I cannot tell how long it may
take to cure him. You know some patients are healed sooner than others,
and respond more quickly than others to the healing power. But if you
ask me to make him well, believing that I can, I will do so. But you
must trust me completely, otherwise you hinder. And you must be sure you
are not asking it only to see if I can."
Maud went through a long moment of dreadful indecision. She knew she was
taking a tremendous responsibility, for though, if the nurse was right,
Sandie was beyond human power, yet it was a serious thing to refuse to
send for the doctor. But it was impossible not to trust this strong,
happy confidence. And as she hesitated he spoke again, still quite
quietly, quite cheerfully.
"Why hesitate?" he said. "Your choice is very simple. You choose the
direct power of God to make Sandie well, or you reject it. Don't think
for a moment it is I who make him well. I can do no more than the
doctor. Look on me only as the window through which the sun shines. So
choose, Lady Maud."
She hesitated no longer.
"Please go to him," she said; "and oh, be quick!"
The human cry sounded there. She was terrified at her choice. What if
Sandie died, and she had not sent for the doctor, not done all that
could have been done? Yet she did not revoke her decision. But she was
frightened, and this stranger whom she had seen yesterday for the first
time soothed her like a child.
"There is nothing to be frightened at," he said. "You have chosen right,
and your faith knows that, but the flesh is weak. Or, rather, our faith
is weak, while our flesh is strong. It binds and controls us sometimes,
so that our true will is almost powerless. Let me be silent a minute."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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