Article November 26, 1910 Issue

The commonly accepted theory of "mind over matter"...

Frank Bell in Butler (Pa.) Citizen.

Butler (Pa.) Citizen

The commonly accepted theory of "mind over matter" relates wholly to the human mind, and therefore bears no resemblance to Christian Science, which, instead of endeavoring to enthrone the human mind, teaches how the latter may be brought into subjection to the infinite, divine Mind, or God. Christian Science shows how to make "Not my will, but thine, be done" a practical rule of every-day living. With regard to the subject of prayer, it need only be noted that those who have come into Christian Science testify that they find their prayers to be more effective than before. It cannot therefore be said that any actual "ground of prayer" is denied by that which makes prayer more efficient.

While it is doubtless true that confidence in the physician on the part of his patients is the most important factor in his success, this is not the kind of faith that becomes operative in Christian Science treatment, where the sufferer is taught to rely no more upon personal magnetism than upon inanimate drugs, but upon the God "who healeth all thy diseases." Said the writer in James: "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, ... And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." That is the character of the prayer and the faith employed in Christian Science treatment.

The "outward means" of true Christianity are not ignored by Christian Science. The Founder of Christianity said that his followers should do the works that he did, and that one of the "signs" that should be manifested by "them that believe" was the healing of the sick. The "outward means" employed by Jesus Christ were not ritualistic ceremonies, but the healing of sickness and the destruction of sin. Christian Scientists find that they are able to overcome disease and sin in proportion as they acquire the Mind of Christ. Any unprejudiced investigator may readily ascertain that Christian Science takes away neither God, religion, nor worship, but that on the contrary it elevates worship above the darkness of superstition into intelligent communion with the one God, and makes religion practical, provable, and livable.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

The commonly accepted theory of "mind over matter"...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access