Article January 6, 1912 Issue

The statement made by the bishop of Chichester, in...

H. Farmer Hall—Hastings, England.

Hastings and St. Leonard's Observer

The statement made by the bishop of Chichester, in which he affirms that Christian Science is "neither Christian nor scientific," is not likely to carry with it any great sense of conviction to those who are not believers in Christian Science, and certainly will not produce any sense of uneasiness in those who are. The bishop of Chichester must remember that the very great majority of those who have embraced Christian Science have done so because, after earnest seeking and practical proofs, they have found the teachings of Christian Science able to meet their need, where the beliefs and methods of former experiences have failed.

Now as to whether Christian Science is Christian. It is noticeable that the bishop gives no reason for his statement. It would naturally be much easier to answer any misconception with regard to Christian Science if the bishop had some ground for his charges. At present one cannot help feeling that the bishop's statement that Christian Science is not Christian rather rests on the basis of nothing being Christian unless one sees eye to eye with the bishop. Now, Christian Scientists, while daily praying for that Mind to be in them which was also in Christ Jesus, realize that the claim to the name Christian cannot stand alone on a declaration of faith, but must be accompanied by works, for "faith without works is dead." Mrs. Eddy, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," has pointed out that Christian healing is not limited to moral conditions alone, but must include physical conditions also. She shows us that the promise of the Christ, "Lo, I am with you alway," is a demonstrable fact. She teaches that the Christ is present today to heal the physically sick as well as the morally sinful, just as much as he was in the days gone by.

Christian Scientists are today proving to the world something of the power of God to meet men's needs. Hundreds of thousands are rejoicing in healing from sickness that under materia medica was pronounced hopeless, hundreds of thousands are giving thanks for healing from sin that had brought them into the depths of despair and from which there seemed no escape. Then for which of these works does the bishop of Chichester stone us? Possibly the bishop does not agree that the power of the Christ is present today to heal physical ills; but then we have the witness that the Christ, as understood in Christian Science, is today healing the sick in accordance with the Master's promises: "He that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also;" and "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." It is these very healing works that must confirm the "word," and are the "signs following" mentioned in the sixteenth chapter of St. Mark's gospel.

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