Article May 16, 1903 Issue

The Lectures

with contributions from C. P. Smith, C. W. E. Miller, Cortland A. Wilber

Judge William G. Ewing of Chicago, delivered a lecture on Christian Science at the Universalist Church, Friday evening, March 27. The audience was a representative one and paid very marked attention throughout. Judge C. P. Smith of Mason City, introduced Judge Ewing and spoke in part as follows:—

Ladies and Gentlemen:—It is recorded in John's Gospel that Jesus stated his mission in these words: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." I assume that he meant the truth concerning God, man, and the universe; such is the import of the record of his life which is preserved to us in the Bible. Now a witness is one who furnishes evidence or proof. Therefore it was the end of Jesus' earthly life to furnish evidence or proof of God and His creation and government of the universe, including man. Hence all Christians search and study the Scriptural record of his life to ascertain the truth; to understand the evidence and proof which he furnished. To that end they ought, and probably do, consider Jesus' acts as well as his words,—his mighty works as well as his precepts and parables. Christian Scientists study this record no less than other Christians; but they draw somewhat different conclusions from the evidence, especially from Jesus' acts and words relating to sickness and death and the effect of sin upon the health and life of mankind. It is apparent from the Gospels that Jesus furnished a great deal of evidence and proof bearing directly upon those subjects. He called these phenomena "the works" or "the work of God," and said: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Whenever he commanded any one to preach the gospel, he commanded him also to heal the sick.

Jesus' acts with reference to disease and death are commonly regarded as "miraculous." Which means, according to Hastings Bible Dictionary, "that at certain critical moments in the history of the human race the uniformity of His [God's] rule has been departed from." I do not know just how Jesus' words on this subject are generally received; there is no consensus of opinion, so far as I am aware.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

The Lectures

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access