Article February 23, 1907 Issue

We indulge many customs and habits which we must...

Alfred Farlow

Public Opinion

We indulge many customs and habits which we must suffer "to be so now," that will not be necessary when the perfect man is understood. The "belittling" of Job's boils was not left to the twentieth century, for in his day he saw the manifestation of God in the healing of his "flesh," and it should be noted that it was when Job had obtained a proper understanding that his boils disappeared and his flesh became as that of a little child. It was not material comforters; it was not the use of material remedies, but wisdom alone that cured Job's distresses; and the exercise of wisdom, it should be noted, is a mental modus operandi, and confirms the teaching of Christian Science that disease is a mental error and that when the proper mental condition is attained the bodily condition is attained the bodily condition is improved.

In direct opposition to the critic's statements, Christian Science teaches that "cleanliness is next to godliness." It is the unreasonable hygienic rules which are condemned by Christian Scientists, not cleanliness. Pure food, pure air, and sensible sanitary regulations are in agreement with Christian Science, for the purest and best is nearest the spiritual. Christian Scientists have enough troubles that come uninvited without going after any, and it is a part of their consistent practice to avoid trouble, as well as to get out of it after having been unfortunate enough to fall into it. It is never right to do evil that good may come of it. While a Christian Scientist in trouble should depend upon God to deliver him, he could not in keeping with his belief wilfully venture into it.

The allegation in a recent issue of your paper, that Mrs. Eddy borrowed her ideas from a certain magnetic practitioner, recalls the fact that this is the seventh person besides Mrs. Eddy whom the discovery of Christian Science has been credited in the public press during the past few months. I am wondering how Mrs. Eddy could have borrowed her ideas from each one of these persons, or indeed from any one of them, since each differs from Mrs. Eddy and from all the others.

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