Article November 6, 1902 Issue

Beware of False Prophets

Alfred Farlow with contributions from MacDonald

Boston Times

ST. PAUL said to Timothy, "Beware of the oppositions of Science falsely so-called." St. Paul was a Christian, and without doubt entertained no knowledge except that which is Christian and warned Timothy against any un-Christian knowledge or Science. In other words, he warned Timothy to beware of the opposites of Christian Science which are falsely called sciences.

There is much taught in the world in the line of theories and Biblical interpretations, so that it becomes necessary that there should be a test in order that we may be able to divide between truth and error, and it can be readily seen by all that the plausibility of any particular belief or doctrine is not a safe and conclusive proof of its truthfulness. Neither is it a proof of the genuineness of a particular creed that it can be established by certain Biblical interpretations. The worth of a religious belief is known by its fruits. The only test which Jesus gave was that of reforming the sinner and healing the sick. True, there are many methods of producing such results, and each particular religionist may be able to point to some fruits and thereby claim a Scriptural endorsement of his peculiar faith, but only a perfect way can eventually bring perfect results even when in course of time it becomes perfectly used.

The Egyptian magicians with their enchantments produced the same results which Moses produced up to a certain point, when they failed and acknowledged concerning Moses' power, "This is the finger of God." So there are many ways and means which, because of the pliability of the human mind and its ability to receive impressions, produce apparent results, and, therefore, the test can only be in the final outcome. The results which are effected are oftentimes a mere exchange of one human condition for another, as suggested in the text: "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace," and not a destruction of the human condition by the divine power. So that people are not only deceived by theories but by the results of applying wrong theories. Eventually, however, through experimentation, all will come to a knowledge of the true way.

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