Article August 5, 1905 Issue

Christian Science classifies pain as belonging to the category...

Clarence A. Buskirk

Terre Haute (Ind.) Gazette

Christian Science classifies pain as belonging to the category of the phenomenal, and not to the category of the real. The term real is applied by Christian Science to nothing which is not of God; it is never applied to the phenomenal universe. This classification substantially follows that made by Paul: "The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." The latest teachings of the physical scientists are largely in accord with this classification.

Christian Science, however, deals with physical pain and sickness as things which seem very real to the sufferer. In other words, like all other manifestations of matter, they seem real to our sense-perception and sense-consciousness. They do not belong, however, to the category of realities.

A clergyman is represented as having argued in a recent sermon that God sends pain to discipline and thus better mankind. Christian Science utterly repudiates such a doctrine. If God be perfect, then no imperfection can proceed from Him. If God be all-wise and all-powerful, then God does not need to use evil to bring forth good. Deity is not thus helpless. Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk.
Terre Haute (Ind.) Gazette.

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