Article February 9, 1907 Issue

Christian Scientists do not assert that no results have...

A. W. Mainland—Winnipeg, Man.

Free Press News-Bulletin,

Christian Scientists do not assert that no results have been obtained in the past through prayer, as it is known that during the first few centuries of the Christian Church healing was recognized as a regular part of the Church work, and there has probably been no time since during which numbers of faithful adherents of Christianity have not. obtained marvelous results from the prayer of faith. Instead of belittling prayer the Christian Scientists are emphasizing the need for the unceasing use of the prayer of faith and understanding.

It is true that Paul is represented as having a "thorn in the flesh" which was not at once removed through his prayers, but it is well to note that this thorn is described as a messenger of Satan, not of God, sent to him lest he should become too proud. This is a good illustration of the teaching of Christian Science on the subject of sickness and its removal by prayer. Christian Science teaches that all sickness is the result of a misapprehension of God and His laws, and that the true method of removing sickness is through gaining a right apprehension of God and His laws. If Paul had not risen to a point where he could enjoy the great good that came to him from his wonderful conversion without becoming too proud, the correct way of gaining his freedom from his "thorn in the flesh" would have been to have overcome the sense of pride through meekness. If sickness, as our critic declares, is, under certain circumstances, good, it is surely wrong for us to try to get rid of sickness through the use of drugs or surgery. The correct method would seem to be to try to overcome the sin or error of which the sickness is an outgrowth, and thus radically destroy the sickness.

Jesus in his work seems to have healed readily all who came to him for healing, but he frequently gave the parting injunction to those healed to "go, and sin no more," thus recognizing sin as the cause of sickness in these cases. The statement that Jesus is healing the sick to-day through the medical profession, is a rather astonishing one in the face of the fact that we have no record that he used any material means in his work when he was on earth. Paul speaks of Christ Jesus as "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." if this is true, he would not change his method of healing if he were with us to-day, and any system that he would not use cannot be rightly called a divine system of healing.

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Christian Scientists do not assert that no results have...

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