Article August 8, 1908 Issue

The final words of our Saviour, as recorded in the closing...

Albert J. Laybourn—Beverley, Eng.

The Guardian

The final words of our Saviour, as recorded in the closing chapter of Mark's Gospel, verses 15 to 18, cannot be separated, and I ask why our clergy do not fulfil the Scriptures and heal the sick, the same as the disciples did after his ascension, and as, according to history, their followers continued to do until about the end of the third century. If their reply is that the words do not refer to our generation. and that Jesus did not mean what he said when he made use of the words in the 17th verse, "These signs shall follow them that believe," etc., then the ungodly and believers have equal right to assert that Jesus did not mean what he said when he used the words in the 16th verse, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

It seems to me that instead of finding fault with Christian Scientists for believing and trying to follow Jesus Christ, it would be much more consistent for our clergy to cease reading these words and petition the bishops to have the Prayer Book altered so that they do not occur in the Gospel—as they consider they have no meaning for the people of the present day. So long as this portion of Scripture is read as "The Gospel," the Church of England teaches "healing of the sick by the laying on of hands,"—and my wonder is that the clergy do not practise the same instead of finding fault with those who do.

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