Article November 28, 1908 Issue

The symposium in a recent issue of The Examiner, in...

Frank W. Gale—San Francisco, Cal.

The Examiner

The symposium in a recent issue of The Examiner, in which Christian Science is frequently referred to, is interesting as an evidence of the fact that after forty years of Christian Science practice in this country, during which time practically every kind of functional and organic disease has been healed through divine power alone, the ministers of some of the churches are admitting that the healing of the body as well as the saving of the soul is included in the Christian ministry, and should be practised to-day if the teachings and example of Christ Jesus and his early disciples are to be followed. The reasons usually given why Christian healing is no longer practised, as taught and demonstrated by our Master, are that it was intended only for his time, and that the age of miracles is past. But Christian Science has proved conclusively that the same divine power which Jesus used in healing the sick and the sinful is available to-day. In 1895 Mrs. Eddy wrote (Pulpit and Press, p. 31): "If the lives of Christian Scientists attest their fidelity to Truth, I predict that in the twentieth century every Christian church in our land, and a few in far-off lands, will approximate the understanding of Christian Science sufficiently to heal in His name."

When Christ Jesus healed one who was blind and dumb, the Pharisees said it was done "by Beelzebub the prince of the devils;" but Jesus declared it was "by the Spirit of God" that the healing was effected. He also said; "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." This shows plainly that Christ Jesus did his healing works through the power of God, the one infinite Spirit, and he said that those who believed should do the same work. When Jesus sent the disciples forth on their mission, "he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick," and it is recorded that "they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where." But one case is referred to that they could not heal, that of the epileptic boy. Jesus at once healed him, and when the disciples asked why they had failed, he replied, "Because of your unbelief." He did not consider the case incurable because the disciples could not cure it, nor did he recommend drugs, suggestion, or any material means for healing, but applied a higher understanding and faith in God than the disciples possessed at that time, and so healed the boy in accordance with his own saying, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Christian Science follows this method of the Master and depends upon the power of God, rightly understood, for healing every kind of sickness and disease, both functional and organic. Those who still cling to material methods think that Christian Science is very extreme in its position, and the Rev. Henry R. Rose, D.D., who believes in the "Emmanuel movement," asks, "What is the use of going to the extremes of Christian Science when you have all you need in the Emmanuel movement?" I would ask what has the "Emmanuel movement" to offer one whom skilful physicians have pronounced incurable with an organic disease? Yet Christian Science has healed multitudes of such cases.

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