Article June 18, 1910 Issue

It is not supposed by Christian Scientists that the diseases ...

George Shaw Cook

Peoria (Ill.) Star

It is not supposed by Christian Scientists that the diseases of animals are produced by conscious fear or sin in them, as is the case many times, but not always, with human beings. For instance, the dumb animal may have no knowledge of disease germs and no fear of contagion or infection, but may appear to suffer in consequence thereof. This is because of the fact that the conditions of contagion and infection in dumb animals, as in men, are governed by so-called beliefs of the universal human or mortal mind, which seem to control all that exists by way of material phenomena. These mortal beliefs are not known to the horse or the dog, but they are nevertheless victimized by them. In Christian Science practice these man-made beliefs are set aside or annulled by divine power, and the brute as well as man is thus made free from their pernicious influence.

To say that Christian Scientists leave those having painful maladies to suffer without "lifting a finger" to relieve them, is a serious mistake. Christian Scientists are not at all averse to having their patients made comfortable, nor to the employment of experienced nurses where there is a necessity for their services. The Christian Science practitioner, however, depends upon the power of Truth and divine Love rather than upon drugs and opiates for the relief of human suffering. And it may not be out of place to remark here that in thousands of cases reliance upon divine power has proved itself to be more efficacious and salutary than dependence upon material means.

Where Christian Science treatment fails, the blame is not always, by any means, placed upon the patient's lack of faith. When these failures occur, it may be the fault of the patient or of the practitioner, or of both. On the other hand, it may be due to some circumstance for which neither of them is responsible. The fact is that when Christian Science practitioners fail they are not much inclined to make excuses, but rather to indulge in self-examination and greater consecration.

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