Article July 24, 1909 Issue

We would respectfully call the attention of our critic...

Alfred Farlow

New Bedford (Mass.) Mercury

We would respectfully call the attention of our critic to the fact that his challenge is exactly the same in nature as the one which Satan presented to our Lord in the ancient days, and we believe our critic on due consideration will justify the assumption that it came from the same source; but that, unlike the Master, he has accepted it instead of spurning it, although it merits the same answer, namely, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." This statement of Jesus was based upon the scientific knowledge that the working of wonders merely for the purpose of personal gratification or for the purpose of establishing human power or for the purpose of convincing mortals of a divine power, is not in keeping with God's plan.

While it is proper to refer to the demonstrations of Christian Science in healing sin and sickness as the fruitage of spiritual understanding and the proof of its demonstrability, it is also true that these results can only be brought about in a natural and intelligent manner. It is quite as important that the patient should be prepared to receive the blessing as it is that the Christian should be prepared to give it. It would be quite as unreasonable to demand of a Christian Scientist that he shall heal a given case as a proof of his ability as it is to demand that our critic himself shall reform a given sinner as a proof of his knowledge of religion. Does the gentleman believe that it is possible to reform a sinner before he is ready therefor? Let him add to his understanding that it is impossible to reform a sinner before he is ready to be reformed, the knowledge that the healing of the sick in Christian Science is in accord with an eternal law of justice and consequent on the spiritual reformation of the patient.

Moreover, Christian Scientists make no boasts as to how much they understand of the truth, nor do they undertake to compare their understanding with that of the reverend gentleman. They only insist that certain teachings of Christ Jesus are true, and that when properly understood and properly applied they heal the sick as well as the sinful, and that it is quite as incumbent upon him to prove the truthfulness of his teaching by his works as it is that the Christian Scientists shall thus prove their understanding. Christian Scientists do not attempt to treat patients without their knowledge and consent. They wait to be asked, and so far as I know never turn away any one who is worthy.

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