Article March 9, 1899 Issue

Is Christian Healing

As Taught and Practised by Christian Scientists an "Unreasonable Fad"?

H. C. Baird

The "Democrat Doctor," in commenting on my article of February 2, says, "Mr. Baird assures us that he believes most firmly in Christian Healing, as taught by Christian Scientists. This is his right. But he is endowed with reason, and should therefore be able to tell us clearly why he holds to the above conclusion."

I am not surprised that the "Doctor" should be unable to understand how a person may be benefited by anything that is not tangible to the five senses. The bias of education in this material age is such that it is not an easy matter for a person engaged in the pressing cares of active business life to spend sufficient time in silent communion with God to become well enough acquainted with Him to believe He will help when the carnal mind binds upon him a conviction of so-called disease; hence, when afflicted, instead of going to God for help, some physician with whom he is better acquainted, is called upon. But in the light of God's word, is it the most reasonable way? Old Asa, King of Judah (2 Chronicles, 16 : 12, 13), concluded that the physicians could help him when suffering. The record reads that "he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers." If you will read the fourteenth verse you will notice that they gave him a first-class funeral.

Now please contrast this case with another king of the same people, who lived and reigned a few years later (Isaiah, 38 : 1-5). "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz came unto him, and said . . . Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord. . . . Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears; behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years." Paul declares that God is the "same yesterday, and to-day, and forever."