Article July 15, 1905 Issue

Testimony of a Clergyman

REV. MARTIN SINDELL.

That "Truth is ... stranger than fiction," is apparent when one reads the many beautiful testimonies in the Christian Science Sentinel and Journal. In no other periodicals, so far as I know, is there such an abundance of "good news," all testifying to the saving and healing power of divine Truth.

For centuries, wherever the Bible has been read, people have gleaned from its pages the blessed truths, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," God "healeth all thy diseases;" "Ask, and ye shall receive;" and many similar passages, all pointing to the fact that God does care for His children; that He is not afar off, but ever-present; and that if we but realize the truth, life can mean all that our Creator intended it should mean. As we read the tear-stained pages of mortal history, we can readily see that the way has been hedged about with "thorns and briers" (mortal beliefs, material interpretations of Bible truths), and thus countless thousands have failed to make practical the numerous Scriptural promises; have failed to find the blessed panacea for all human ills and sorrows.

During several years experience as pastor in a certain religious denomination, I found myself "lame" when present in the sick-chamber, for all too often my prayers were unavailing. It frequently occurred that, when cases were thought to be critical, the pastor was not permitted to enter the room of the sufferer, lest his presence should excite the patient and thus hasten the end. But what of the doctor? These things were "food for thought." In the fifth chapter of James, we read, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him. ... And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." I had great faith in the doctors during the years of my pastoral work, even as I have great respect for many of them now; still, I could not see that it was according to Scripture to call an M.D., and let the pastor learn of the patient's illness in the best way he could. Since becoming a Christian Scientist, my opinion on that point has undergone no change. It never seemed right to lean wholly upon medicine; and then, perhaps late in the day, have prayers, if convenient.

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