Article September 11, 1909 Issue

A clergyman tells us that "the duty of the Christian...

Charles K. Skinner

Detroit (Mich.) Free Press

A clergyman tells us that "the duty of the Christian minister is to warn people against danger and error," and he quotes the Scripture, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." I would like to remind our brother of another saying of the Master: "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." "Ye judge after the flesh: I judge no man." The pastor criticizes the name Christian Science, because "it claims to heal the sick," and he tells us that "Jannes and Jambres performed some miracles, Jesus and the early church healed the sick," and that many others have also wrought cures. To all of this we grant cheerful assent, but we trust he does not mean to assume that the Master did his great works in the same manner as did Jannes and Jambres.

We are told that "there is a wide difference between the power of the risen Christ and Christian Science." How does our critic know this? The promise of the Master was, "Greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." Has this critic ever healed any one through his understanding of Christ's teaching? Has he a knowledge or understanding of this "power of the risen Christ"? If he has, why is he not using it, when his Master's command is constantly staring him in the face as he reads the Scriptures? "Preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils." "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, ... 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." If our critic is not doing these things, why is he condemning those who are? Neither he nor any other person can show one word of authority for divorcing the healing from the preaching. It is true that Christian Scientists may not at this hour be able to do all the mighty works of Jesus, because of the lack of spiritual understanding. If they were able to do all of them, they surely would be ready for translation. At the same time the command is binding to do the little we are able, lest, in accord with the Scriptures, we "shall be beaten with many stripes" for our disobedience. Is not this thought worthy of consideration by the clergy?

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