Article August 14, 1902 Issue

The True Science

Bicknell Young

Chicago American

To the Editor.

Dear Sir:—Your article entitled, "The Side of the Christian Scientists" begins with a quotation from Rousseau's "Emile," which, as you say, will appeal to Christian Scientists, but which does not state their attitude toward the profession of medicine. Christian Scientists do not denounce the doctors or medical science. The Christian Science text-book does, however, show that medicine, as a science, is experimental, and this is corroborated by the highest medical authority. Christian Scientists do not deprive any one of medical aid, but with themselves and their families they must perforce employ the system which they have proved to be the best. The general health of their families, even where there are children and other dependent persons, belies the assumption that medical attendance is necessary to them, either in a protective or in a curative way.

The article states, by way of preface, "We purpose to present mildly what seems to us to be the Christian Science side of the controversy," but Christian Scientists will hardly recognize their side in what follows. The fact is, nobody can write intelligently upon this subject until he recognizes that Christian Science is pure Christianity, with "signs following." In preventing and healing disease it is true that the Christian Scientist deals with mental phenomena exclusively, but the process is not merely the action of hope or of what is ordinarily called faith. Much less is it the action of autohypnotism, or of any kind of mesmerism or mental suggestion, or of what is ordinarily called the power of mind over matter, nor is it the action of the human will. A Christian Scientist does not protect himself nor help others by any such means. His work is done through prayer, of understanding.

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