Article April 11, 1908 Issue

A local clergyman tells us that "we are living in a time...

Charles K. Skinner—Lansing, Mich.

State Republican

A local clergyman tells us that "we are living in a time when on the part of the Church there is a decided disposition to recover the power and gift of healing." If this decision means radical adherence to Jesus' methods of destroying sickness, sin, and death, — works which he said all those that believed on him should do.— the conclusion is indeed a happy one for humanity. Unfortunately, however, this does not seem to be the plan this critic expects his church to take, for he adds, "Unlike Christian Science, the church makes no claim of healing all diseases — the movement may be said to be an attempt to weld into friendly alliance medico-psychological knowledge of our time and primitive New Testament Christianity." . . .

In no part of the Bible, however, do we find any record where God was forced to call on a mortal to aid him in His work. The Scriptures read, "He sent his word, and healed them." We find no reference where the Master required a doctor to diagnose a case, that he might treat it according to medical laws, or where he used or prescribed drugs. Jesus made no inquiries whether an ailment was organic, nervous, or the result of sin. He saw it as evil, and not as a reality, and cast it out through his understanding of God and the spiritual man's relation to God. If the Church desires to return to the primitive faith, why does it seek to divide the Christ garment? Why is a psychological alliance necessary now, any more than nineteen hundred years ago? Were there no organic or serious death-dealing diseases then? Has the eternal God lost some of His omnipotence? Has the Christ spirit ceased to visit man in his extremity? Is not such a position a sad commentary on the faith of orthodox theology?

Our critic tells us, that "to confound this healing with Christian Science, is to understand neither." He never spoke truer words, as the tens of thousands who have been lifted out of every ill to which flesh is heir, by the power of God without psychological aid. will gladly testify. This critic also says, "Medicine and scientific knowledge are just as much a gift, and intended for the healing of human ills, as faith and spiritual power." . . . If medicines are divinely ordered, as the critic intimates, why is it that a drug to which the physician pins his faith, is after a year or two discarded for others, which in turn share the same fate? Why is it, also, that their medical treatises are worthless after ten years, as physicians themselves aver? Does divinity deteriorate? . . . Our critic's reference to money for treatment in Christian Science, is not worthy of any one in his position. The command which cannot be divided is, Preach the gospel, heal the sick. Doubtless he is not averse to receiving a monthly stipend for doing half the work demanded. Then why sneer at those who are doing all the work under Jesus' words, "The laborer is worthy of his hire" ?

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