Article April 22, 1911 Issue

One who could not demonstrate a problem in arithmetic...

Willis D. McKinstry

Fort Scott (Kan.) Tribune-Monitor

One who could not demonstrate a problem in arithmetic would not be considered proficient to interpret the principle of numbers, and as these gentlemen [of a ministerial union] cannot demonstrate the teachings of Christian Science, they certainly are not qualified to sit in judgment upon those who can. The teachings and demonstration of Christian Science are purely spiritual; they are upon a divine basis and are wholly in accord with the teachings of Christ Jesus, who declared, "I am the way." Jesus' ministry was one of teaching and healing. As his teaching is accepted by Christendom as an example for mankind, so his work should also be accepted, for he said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." And he further said, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

Biblical history teaches that all manner of disease, as well as sin, were cast out—healed—by Jesus without material aid. The therapeutics of Jesus were spiritual, and to those who doubted his Messiahship he said, "Though ye believe not me, believe the works." Yet it was said of him by the learned men of his day, "How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?" The words of Scripture declare that "faith without works is dead," and Jesus said of the barren fig tree, "Cut it down." It was this teacher and demonstrator of the Word of God who gave that sacred command to preach the gospel and heal the sick, and he also said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

The teachings of Christian Science impart the spiritual facts of being, and as mankind come to understand these scientific truths, they are able to do the works—to heal the sick—in obedience to the command of Jesus. These clerical critics need not go outside of their own cities to find many proofs of this work. The fact that omnipotent Love heals both sin and disease was recognized by Jesus when he said, "Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" Therefore, if it be necessary for the Christian Scientists to pass a medical examination to heal the sick through prayer, it must be equally necessary for the minister of the gospel to pass such an examination to heal the sinner by the same process. It is the "prayer of faith" that heals the sick. And as Christian Scientists do not administer medicines, nor perform surgical operations, a medical examination would be of no benefit to them or to their patients. Christian Scientists do not claim at this time that they have reached the perfect understanding of God's law, nor do they claim to heal every case; but a large percentage of their patients are healed, many of whom had exhausted all medical aid or had been pronounced incurable by medical men before they turned to Christian Science for help.

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