Article October 21, 1911 Issue

Christian Science has been steadily and surely gaining...

C. R. Munro

Newmarket (Ont.) Express-Herald

Christian Science has been steadily and surely gaining a higher place in the estimation of the public, as evidenced by the increasing number of persons daily coming to it for help and comfort. Had it done nothing more than the critic gives it credit for, it deserves the gratitude of mankind. It is, therefore, not surprising that it should meet with some opposition from the established systems of religion and medicine form which it differs so radically, for every pioneer in the great movements of the world has been met with the same opposition. Even the apostle Paul was called "a pestilent fellow" because he taught something different from the prevailing systems of his time. Christian Science is proving by actual demonstration, by doing the "works" which Jesus demanded as evidence of an understanding of his teachings, that it is the greatest blessing which has come to the world since the days of our Master.

Critics used to say that Christian Science did not heal anything, but they have long since had to retreat from that position. Now they say that Christian Science does heal some things, but that it cannot heal organic disease. There is, however, such a mass of evidence to show that it has healed many hundreds of such cases, that it is somewhat late in the day to deny the fact. The Christian Science Journal and the Sentinel contain in each issue several pages of testimonials of healing, many of them of pronounced organic disease. I would also refer any inquirers to the book entitled "Christian Science as a Religious Belief and a Therapeutic Agent," by B. O. Flower, formerly editor of the Arena and now editor? of the Twentieth Century Magazine, who is recognized as one of the foremost writers and most careful investigators in America, of all subjects dealing with human progress and achievement. Mr. Flower is not a Christian Scientist, but his investigations were very thorough and impartial, and the results very convincing. He cites a number of remarkable cases of healing of organic disease, including tuberculosis, cancer, and other things equally as bad, all in advanced stages and, according to medical testimony, hopeless. The cases are vouched for by reputable medical men, and supported by sworn statements of eye-witnesses.

Christian Scientists, according to our critic, should go to the battlefields, to the hospitals, to the leper colonies, and heal at once all the sick folks who are there. Before replying to this, may we ask him why he does not do this work himself if it is the right thing to do? The command of Jesus to heal the sick is certainly as applicable to him as to any Christian Scientist, and until critics are able and willing to do their share of this work, it is at least very poor taste to criticize others for not doing it. However, there are several very good reasons why Christian Scientists do not heal all the sick people in hospitals, etc. First, they are taught they have no right to treat any person mentally without being requested so to do, just as a man has no right to enter another's house and take possession without permission. Second, most Christian Science practitioners are so busy attending to those who come to them for help that they would have no time, even were they so inclined, to force themselves on those who do not wish their assistance. All who desire the treatment of Christian Science may have it, and no one need be deprived of the privilege. If Christian Scientists took any other ground, they would at once be accused of proselyting and of forcing their teaching on those who do not want it.

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