Editorial May 4, 1907 Issue

"O FOR A FAITH THAT WILL NOT SHRINK"

John B. Willis

When Christian Scientists remember Jesus' saying, that if one had faith even as a grain of mustard seed, he could speak to the mountains and they would obey him, they are impressed with the propriety of modest statement as to their present attainments; but they have occasion and they do rejoice that Christian Science has called them to the fulness of both physical and spiritual freedom, that it places no limit upon the possibilities of their overcoming and efficiency. It will, certainly be some time, in the order of human development, before we can be perfect even as is our Father in heaven. Nevertheless, paradoxical as it may seem, every one who honors the authority of Christ Jesus is under obligation to be thus perfect to-day, and a clear perception of this immediate and uncompromising demand of Truth alone supplies the vital stimulus to spiritual advance. For this larger concept of man's privilege and power to assert and maintain his sovereignty over every enemy of his peace and progress, Christian Science stands, and in this it presents a well-nigh antipodal contrast to the thought and aspiration of the many.

There lies before us an article in which a reverend disciple of him who said, "The works that I do shall ye do also." "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel," "Heal the sick,... raise the dead, cast out devils," defines and discusses his understanding of this glorious commission, and his statement could but lead every worthy Christian Scientist to renewed thanksgiving for that unlimited sense of individual privilege and spiritual power which has come to him through the teaching and demonstrations of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

The article says in part, "The ministers of—Church refuse to accept any patient till his case has been diagnosed by a trained specialist in nervous diseases... they believe in Science... and regard all attacks upon the organized knowledge of the race as attacks upon reason, and therefore suicidal." "For ordinary work, two doctors, trained along the most scientific lines, in psychological medicine, are in attendance at the church several days in the week, where they may be consulted. Only persons suffering from nervous trouble, and functional disturbances are accepted, and should any of these be already under medical advice, they must bring their physician's consent before their names can be enrolled." We are further told that "scientific and religious remedies are administered by suggestion," and that this "suggestion is avilable only within certain limits, there being not the slightest evidence that when an organic change has taken place in the body, such a change can be effected by mental means," and that "a cancer, for example, is not amenable to mental treatment."

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"TO DAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE"