The Attitude of Christian Scientists toward Physicians

W. D. McCRACKAN

American Life and Health

A GREAT multitude of earnest and intelligent people here and abroad already know that Christian Science has meant "Life and Health" to them in times of crisis when other means have failed. Christian Scientists respect the altruistic motives of the medical fraternity, and wish well to all those engaged in every effort to cope with pain, disease, and sorrow. They do not force or obtrude their services upon those who desire medical attendance. In point of fact, this very reticence and respect for the rights of others has sometimes been made a cause of reproach by critics who have wished to urge Christian Scientists to interfere with the work of physicians by officious and meddlesome actions. This striving on the part of Christian Scientists to maintain a kindly and correct attitude should not fail of recognition.

The assumption, underlying the various futile attempts made in the past to regulate or prohibit the practice of Christian Science by legal enactment, is that a knowledge of material medicine is essential to heal the sick. It follows very properly from this assumption that all who attempt to heal the sick should be able to pass an examination in the use of material means. But Christian Scientists, following the teachings of the Founder of Christianity, have proved that the assumption in question is false, and that a knowledge of material medicine is not necessary to heal the sick. Hence, they justly claim that an education in the use of material means is superfluous for any one who chooses to learn how to heal spiritually. They concede that an examination in the science of material medicine may justly be required of those who wish to practise materially, and that this examination should act in such a way as to protect the public against persons pretending to practise material medicine without a knowledge of that science.

Christian Scientists make no claim to practising material medicine. They state frankly that they have not studied it, and are not qualified to administer it. Hence they refer all those who may desire medical practice to physicians, who have spent years in the acquisition of the necessary knowledge.

Christian Science is not merely "a theological doctrine." As defined by Mrs. Eddy, it is "the law of God, the law of Good, interpreting and demostrating the Principle and rule of universal harmony" (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 7). On page 9, of the same work, she states:—

"Healing physical sickness is the smallest part of Christian Science. It is only the bugle-call to thought and action, in the higher range of infinite goodness. The emphatic purpose of Christian Science is the healing of sin; and this task is a million times harder than the cure of disease; because, while mortals love to sin, they do not love to be sick. Hence their comparative acquiescence in your endeavors to heal them of bodily ills, and their obstinate resistance to all efforts to save them from sin through Christ, spiritual Truth and Love, which redeem them, and become their Saviour through the flesh from the flesh, the material world, and evil."

I ask the readers of your esteemed journal to consider that the object of medical practice is to heal the sick, and that if there is a better way of doing this than by medication and manipulation, the physicians should be the first to learn this way. Christian Scientists, with best wishes for all in their hearts, are content to wait until the spiritual healing taught and practised by Jesus, his disciples and apostles, and by the early Christians, shall once more commend itself to all Christians as the best, the safest, and the only enduring method.

W. D. McCRACKAN.
In American Life and Health.

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The Demands of Christian Science

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