Article June 18, 1910 Issue

In examining the report in these columns of the last of...

William J. Bonnin

Waterloo and Crosby (Eng.) Herald

In examining the report in these columns of the last of several sermons, the point that arrests attention, as perhaps most directly contradictory to the plain teaching of Christian Science, is the assertion that the healing work accomplished in Christian Science is the result of "suggestion." Let me say that it would be no fartehr from the truth to aver that light is darkness or that good is evil. But the reverend critic would discredit in advance such a denial as I have just given, because he says all the methods Christian Science employs are employed by those who admit they are practising suggestion, and all of its results are to be obtained by suggestion. These are very extraordinary statements. As to the first, the truth is that not one of the methods of the "suggester," or hypnotist, or any other trafficker in the trickeries of the human mind and human will, are ever even thought of by the Christian Science practitioner.

The cardinal truth that Christian Science enforces is that there is only one Mind—the divine—and in that Mind all being is harmonious and eternal. The Christian Scientist brings to his patient some understanding of this truth, some realization of its omnipresent power, gained through long consecration to his highest ideals; in short, some reflection of that divine Mind. He brings a consciousness purified as far as may be from the contamination of materialistic and all other sense-beliefs that would deny the omnipresence of God, and thus opens a channel fit in a measure for the operation of spiritual truth in demonstration of God's perfect law. The hypnotist, or the "suggester," trades on the belief in many minds, the erring so-called minds of mortals, and in the supposed power of one of these minds over another. Such a belief is devoid of principle, and hence its exercise often involves the transgression of the laws of liberty and decency to be seen in the degrading phenomena so often associated with its exhibition. The hypnotist may be, often is, a person of evil character. The very first step toward the successful practice of Christian Science is the casting of moral evils out of one's self.

So much for the alleged similarity of method. As to the similarity in results, Christian Science is healing daily, not any limited class of ailment, but all classes of disease, organic and functional; it is reforming character, softening hard natures, sweetening angry and bitter ones; it is reclaiming the profligate, the drunkard, and the drug maniac; it is succoring those in all kinds of difficulty, misery, and distress. Is "suggestion" doing this? Can any one be "suggested" into the kingdom of heaven?

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