Article February 2, 1907 Issue

THE HEALING MOTIVE OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

W. D. MC CRACKAN, M.A.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE heals the sick and reforms the sinner. This is an incontestable fact. It has been rendering this service to mankind for over forty years; it is rendering it to-day on a greater scale than ever, both with an increased momentum and in an ever-widening circle of action. Many people owe their lives to its timely interposition; multitudes are better, healthier, and happier by reason of its ministrations, enjoying improved mental, moral, and physical conditions as a result of its advent into the world. For over forty years since its discovery by Mrs. Eddy in 1866, it has been making better Christians, better Bible students, better fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, and children, better friends and citizens, better employers and employes. It has thus made many friends; and for good and valid reasons, since it has not only filled lives with sunshine, taken burdens from weary shoulders, and destroyed bad habits, but has brought to many supposed to be incurably sick the healing which the Gospel records show formed a necessary part of primitive Christianity.

Christian Science has placed the world of thought under obligations. Current theology, medicine, philosophy, and science, and indeed the arts themselves, are indebted to it for the stimulating vigor of its unwavering stand in behalf of the supremacy of Spirit. Every thinker who keeps abreast of the times must recognize this. The practical success of Christian Science has meant the disproval of many harassing and haunting theories which have beset mankind from time to time and been accepted because of a popular lack of understanding of the fundamental laws of God as Mind. Christian Science has registered an effective protest against these enslaving theories. It has been the harbinger of freedom from ill-advised fears and bugbears conjured up by the general human consciousness for its own destruction, and it has pointed out the Christian and truly scientific way to health and reform. It has proved its capabilities by actual works, tests, and achievements, in demonstration that it is not a mere theory; and in return for the incomparable boon it is conferring upon mankind, it asks nothing but fair play

The healing motive underlies every phase of Christian Science activity. It was present at the discovery of Christian Science itself, and has led to every step which has since been taken in the founding and organization of the Christian Science Church. It would be as futile to try to understand the teaching of Christian Science or the life of its Discoverer and Founder, without giving due consideration to the healing, as it would be to attempt to estimate the character of Jesus while deliberately excluding what are commonly called his miracles. Indeed, Jesus himself referred questioners to his works, evidently considering them the essential factor of his life-work. It must be patent to every one that but for this very healing Christian Science would not have attracted world-wide attention nor be at this time the cherished faith of earnest Christians in all quarters of the globe. The healing motive alone can explain Mrs. Eddy's career. It is inextricably interwoven with her trials, her successes, her patience with friend and foe, and her very manner of living. As the healing is part of the fabric of her discovery, so it is inseparable from the steps taken to make that discovery available for mankind at large. It is beside the mark even to essay an expression of opinion concerning Mrs. Eddy as a woman and Leader, while disregarding the mainspring of her character, the object of her constant prayer and her most sacred hope; namely, the regeneration of mankind by Christianly scientific means.

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