Article January 15, 1903 Issue

Proof through Practical Application

W. D. McCrackan

Newburgh (N. Y.) Journal

Mr. Editor.

A curious phase of modern religious thought is presented by the sermon of Rev. Mr. T. H. Baragwanath of your city, as reported in a local newspaper. Christian Science has become a subject of so great popular interest, that persons who have never seriously studied its text-book, and have never attempted to put its teachings to the test of practical experience, are induced to tell the public what Christian Science is and what it is not. So irresistible is the temptation that even gentlemen who have never attended a Christian Science service, much less received Christian Science instruction or treatment, are heard to denounce what they mistakenly suppose it to be with the tones of authority. The unfortunate results of lack of proper preparation in treating this subject are illustrated by the sermon above mentioned.

In opening his sermon, Mr. Baragwanath quotes 2 Timothy, 4:3, 4, and refers to a time "when the practical truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would not be endured, but people would follow their own bent, hating such teachers and doctrines as opposed them." He should consider who those persons are in our day who will not endure "the practical truths of the Gospel," and who it is who are doing the "hating." These accusations certainly cannot be brought against Christian Scientists, for they are the very ones who are emphasizing these "practical truths," and who never preach sermons against their fellow-Christians, leaving all the "hating," if there is any to be done, to others. Jesus, according to the Gospel narratives, was occupied at least as much in healing the sick as in reforming the sinner during his ministry. He commissioned his disciples and apostles not only to preach the Gospel, but also to "heal the sick," and they followed his command, and so did the primitive Christians until Constantine made a State machine out of the church. Healing the sick was considered a necessary part of the "practical truths of the Gospel" by Jesus; why do not the clergy, who have received his commission, obey his command to-day?

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