Article March 27, 1909 Issue

Our critic says, "The truth that there is a divine power...

Charles K. Skinner

Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Press

Our critic says, "The truth that there is a divine power to alleviate suffering is not original with Christian Science." Very true. Mrs. Eddy does not claim to have invented a new truth, and certainly her followers do not claim it for her. It is granted that the power of God has been shown in the healing of disease all down the ages. It is claimed, however, for Christian Science, that it is the only system of healing since the time of the early Christian church which operates by the application of a Principle that, rightly understood, heals all diseases.

The gentleman adds, "Christian Science makes no distinction, but treats both functional and organic disorders." The Christian Scientist does not divide Christ's robe, declaring in one breath that God is omnipotent, and in the next that He is not. The Master made no distinction between one ailment and another, and it is certainly astounding to find a clergyman taking the position that God is not omnipotent at all times. We are then told that "a great many Christian Scientists die of organic diseases." I dislike to think this statement was more than a thoughtless expression, for certainly there is no foundation for it. In this state, during the past two years, less than eighty deaths have occurred of persons under Christian Science treatment, and of this number about sixty had been given up by the doctors as incurable from organic troubles. During the same period, the state board of health reported over seventy thousand deaths from various causes, the rate being about fourteen in one thousand. When it is taken into consideration that in Michigan the number of people depending on Christian Science for physical help numbers many thousands, the death-rate is small.

Again the gentleman says, "Like others, I do not understand the English which Mrs. Eddy uses to explain her ideas." Like some others, he may have attempted to measure spiritual things by material and finds that they will not agree. Mrs. Eddy's statements in the text-book refer to the spiritual man and universe, except when matter and material things are discussed to show their unreality to God. I have never, in all my experience, found a person who read the text-book from the view-point of its author, and with a sincere desire to understand, who had the least difficulty in comprehending its statements. As to the Bible being an open or sealed book, Christian Scientists take the position of the apostle, that "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." Until the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures is understood sufficiently for its practical application to our daily needs, it is certainly not an open book.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Our critic says, "The truth that there is a divine power...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access