Article August 24, 1899 Issue

Voice of the Press

It is stated that different churches in Kansas City have experienced an appreciable loss of membership through the growth of the several Christian Science organizations in the community. That the doctrine is more or less popular is demonstrated by the congregations which it has drawn together and the construction of at least one fine edifice. Whatever may be believed concerning its reasonableness, it is certain that it appeals to a considerable number of people as a rational and helpful faith.

It is not difficult to find the cause for this condition. "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul," is a philosophy which has never fully taken possession of the mass of humanity. Even the great Teacher who promulgated that principle, himself shrank from death and the awful torture to which he was subjected by his cruel persecutors. In all ages of the world it has been those who claim power to heal the body who have been sought and followed by mankind. It is true that the world has not lacked the sweet and inspiring example of those who have cheerfully suffered affliction and infirmity through the hope of those compensations which true believers expect to find in Heaven; but the desire for health and long life is not sinful, and its prevalence only goes to prove that the human instinct is, generally speaking, stronger than the spiritual nature.

It will be remembered that while the ministry of Christ opened the way for the emancipation of the soul from sin, it also healed the sick and even raised the dead. There were thousands who followed after him because they had seen him feed the hungry multitude, and it would be impossible to estimate how many of the adherents of Jesus of Nazareth in the days he was on earth were attracted to him by the knowledge that he was able to help the body as well as the soul.

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