Article August 27, 1910 Issue

ABSENT TREATMENT

JOHN L. RENDALL.

There seems to be a disposition upon the part of some who are not thoroughly informed as to what Christian Science is and what it includes, to question or doubt as to the possibilities of any one's receiving help or healing through what is called "absent treatment." This doubt originates mainly in the old systems of healing, wherein the presence of the physician is considered necessary, and those who entertain it fail to grasp the fact, as taught in Christian Science, that the most available potency is that of infinite Mind, which is ever present and all powerful.

Those of our brethren who belong to other Christian churches do not think it strange or incredible that a prayer for spiritual help should be answered, even though the one prayed for might be at a considerable distance from the one who prays. In this instance it is recognized that God answers prayer and there is some concept of the forever fact that God is everywhere present. Why should it not be as consistent and reasonable to believe that a right prayer, one of understanding of God and man, for the healing of the sick, even though at a distance, is as surely answered by infinite Love as is the prayer for the sinner or the one in need of spiritual enlightenment? The experience of Christian Scientists proves to them conclusively that to Mind there is no distance, no space, no location; that the one infinite Love is everywhere present, and that, in keeping with the promises given in the Bible, "the prayer of faith shall save the sick."

In Science and Health (p. 487) Mrs. Eddy states: "This faith relies upon an understood Principle. This Principle makes whole the diseased, and brings out the enduring and harmonious phases of things." Christian Scientists are recognizing clearly that in order to bring about right results through prayer there must be a correct and scientific basis from which to work, and Mrs. Eddy has defined this basis as follows: "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration" (Ibid., p. 259). From this basis of perfect God and perfect man every conclusion in Christian Science is logically deduced. The Christian Scientist knows that because man is the perfect idea of "perfect Principle," and because this perfect idea must reflect the essential nature and character of its Principle, man is not sick, neither is he a sinner. It is therefore a mortal concept or false belief which alone constitutes the so-called sick man or sinner.

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