Article June 6, 1908 Issue

Is there Scriptural authority for healing disease by means...

Judge Septimus J. Hanna

Government

Is there Scriptural authority for healing disease by means of drugs and medicines? We maintain that a fair reading and analysis of Scripture teaching answers this question in the negative. The whole system of materia medica has its foundation in the teaching and practice of the schools of philosophy antedating the inauguration of the Christian era. Even in the Old Testament we read much of healing through spiritual means and prayer. Old Testament statements such as this from the 103d Psalm are numerous: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."

The teachings of Jesus are very plain and explicit. He thus commanded his disciples: "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, norscrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat." At the close of the book of Matthew we find his final commandment: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." While in the fourteenth chapter of John he utters the following plain injunction: "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."

I might comment at much length upon these remarkable teachings and sayings of Christ Jesus, but I will notice them now only by saying that Mrs. Eddy, in her Scriptural study, took these and similar sayings — of which there are many — seriously. She believed Jesus meant what he said. She believed him to be a true prophet, and governed herself accordingly. She has persistently and unflaggingly acted upon this conception, and for many years has taught those who have listened to her teaching to do likewise. The results, even thus far, of her efforts, are too well known to require extended notice here. Suffice it to reaffirm the statements hereinbefore made, and to add that, as a result of such faith and understanding on her part, Mrs. Eddy, through her labors, her writings, and her students, has been instrumental in healing many thousands of our fellow beings of diseases pronounced incurable by our medical friends. This marvelous healing work has been in progress for upwards of forty years, and every day, in this country and in other countries, thousands, in the aggregate, are helped and healed. We submit that in so far as this work is being done it is in accord with the teachings and plain directions of the Founder of the Christian religion. If this is not Christian work and religious living, pray what is?

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