To dispute Christian Science because it pleads the unreality...

Albert E. Miller

Johnstown (Pa.) Democrat

To dispute Christian Science because it pleads the unreality of evil is in effect to question the reality of good Our Saviour did not teach evil to be eternal, He predicted the final destruction of all evil; and the fact that it will eventually be relegated to the realms of the unknown, shows it to lack the inherent stability of good which proves good to be imperishable and eternal. There is nothing my teaching of our Saviour which, if understood and demonstrated, fails in any way to coincide with Christian Science on this question of evil.

In his endeavor to prove that Jesus did not intend his command to preach the gospel and heal the sick to be taken as a unit, our critic insists that all minor commands uttered in connection therewith should be considered a part of this unit, if it is to be taken as such. This is begging the question which Christian Science raises; namely, "Why do Christians follow the command to preach the gospel but ignore the command to heal the sick?" The Christian Scientist, as did Jesus and his disciples, heals through preaching and preaches through healing.

Let the reader contemplate for a moment the distress and suffering which is seen today on every side; the multiplicity of diseases and sins, and the unhappiness and poverty which attend these conditions; then let him ask himself whether Jesus' command to heal the sick should be ignored. if there is any possibility of its fulfilment. Is there no need today for the compassionate ministrations which drew the attention of all Palestine to the work of Jesus and his disciples?

Aside from the fact that it is illogical to believe that evil can be as real and eternal as good, and that God is either negatively or positively the author of the former as well as the latter, it is fair to ask what satisfaction is to be gained from making this belief active in the consciousness of mankind. The hopelessness of believing that there exists no escape from sin. is not apt to drive men to seek righteousness; and again, if evil is as real as good, and God is the author both, then one is as eternal as the other and there will never be a time when men will be free from the influence, in some degree, of sin, because of the supposed co-existence of these opposites.

The atonement of Christ Jesus was in vain if men are not thereby shown the way of escape from all evil. His lifework manifested the one ardent purpose of showing mankind the way to escape from sin and its ill effects. To him sickness was purely the manifestation of error in human consciousness. The stand which Christian Science takes on this question is unassailable, if Jesus' teaching be taken as authoritative; and it is in order for our critics to explain why it is that they are not making some effort to heal the sick instead of casting unfriendly missiles at those who are endeavoring to fulfil all of Christ's demands.

Mrs. Eddy claims no more for the efficacy of her teaching than the results warrant her in doing. That which has brought health and happiness to thousands who have despaired of ever regaining such a state, needs no defence; and whatever explanation is needed as to the method of gaining it is obtainable through studying the writings of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

Some may say that the fulness of the promise of Christian Science has not been achieved, but it is nevertheless true that enough has already been accomplished, through even the limited understanding of its possibilities which at present obtains, to more than justify the efforts made to teach and practise this doctrine. Albert E. Miller.
Johnstown (Pa.) Democrat.

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