Article May 29, 1909 Issue

Christian Science not only "says" it can cure organic as...

J. V. Dittemore

Troy (N. Y.) Times

Christian Science not only "says" it can cure organic as well as functional diseases, but it produces the evidence. This does not mean that every case of organic disease which is treated in Christian Science is healed, but it does mean that any failures in practice are the result of improper application or insufficient knowledge on the part of the practitioner, and in no way the fault of the Principle of Science. When Jesus came down from the mount of transfiguration we are told how a father brought to him his lunatic son. The disciples had been unable to restore the boy because of their "unbelief"—their limited understanding; but the Master, knowing "the will of the Father," proved the omnipotence of Spirit, "rebuked the devil," and "the child was cured from that very hour." Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." The healing of the sick is as important as the destruction of sin; in fact, Christianity must be available for both, else it is not fulfilling the mission its Founder intended. It may also be noted that the Master never indicated that his method of healing was intended only for neurotics and hypochondriacs, while those suffering from organic disease should, in the words of our critic, be "turned away," unable to avail themselves of God's omnipotent love simply because their sickness had progressed beyond the "functional and nervous" stage.

Christian Scientists refuse to believe that mesmerism, suggestion, or any other phase of human will-power is in any way related to the activity of the divine Mind as demonstrated by Jesus Christ two thousand years ago and as again practised today in Christian Science. The various systems which are used today in connection with the work of different religious denominations are no more entitled to be called "spiritual healing" than they have been during past years, when the same systems have been used by members of the medical profession.

We are sure that our critic's inference that Christian Science is not in harmony with the teachings of Scripture cannot be substantiated by a study of its position in regard to the cause and cure of either physical disease or of sin. Our critic feels that the teachings of Christian Science "offend his intelligence" by "denying matter." I am sure that it is only his concept of the teaching of Christian Science on this point that offends him. Christian Science denies the existence of nothing that is a part of the creation of God, who made all things that were made and pronounced them "very good." It affirms, however, that God's creation is spiritual and perfect like Himself, and that the so-called material universe, the heaven and earth of our mortal experience which shall pass away, is but a mutable, destructible (and in that sense unreal) conception of the true universe of Spirit. When one has seen disease disappear and the discords of our mortal material existence yield to the harmony to which all mankind is entitled, then his faith in Christian Science increases and he is willing to learn that matter is impotent, the phenomena of human thought, and that salvation from all that binds must and shall come through recourse to the divine Mind, that "Mind which was also in Christ Jesus.

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