Article March 23, 1912 Issue

There are two points raised by our clerical critic respecting...

Howard C. Van Meter

Portland (Ore.) Oregonian

There are two points raised by our clerical critic respecting Christian Science which need correction. First, that Christian Scientists claim to have the power of Christ yet do not heal every case, and, secondly, that the cases healed through Christian Science are of a mild type, mainly of a nervous nature.

As to the first objection: When the Christ-method is referred to and claimed by Christian Scientists, it means the application of exact and definite knowledge of God—the knowledge which Jesus possessed without measure and which he urged upon his followers, telling them, as related by John: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Christian Scientists are engaged in acquiring this knowledge through faithful study of the Bible and the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. They humbly acknowledge that they have as yet acquired only a small degree of this truth, and can demonstrate only what they understand; yet Mrs. Eddy says, "Because you have cannot walk on the water and raise the dead, you have no right to question the great might of divine Science in these directions. Be thankful that Jesus, who was the true demonstrator of Science, did these things, and left his example for us. In Science we can use only what we understand. We must prove our faith by demonstration" (Science and Health, p. 329).

Christian Scientists rejoice in the Master's statement, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also," as a promise for all ages and all people. A learned writer has said that to believe "on me" means to have a more advanced reliance upon the truth of the Master's teachings than merely to believe on his name; that is, that Jesus was the Christ. This advanced reliance comes to Christian Scientists with an increased understanding of the spiritual law that was manifested in the Master's works. That they are not successful with every case may indicate a lack of understanding of this law, or an unwillingness on the part of the patient to abide by the Christ-demands. It is recorded of Jesus that in his own country "he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." Many patients, after a long and unsuccessful experience with the old school of healing turn to Christian Science in the last stages of disease. If materia medica failed to heal such cases in their incipiency, should the Christian Scientist be blamed if in his metaphysical study he should not have yet gained sufficient understanding to make it practical? Nevertheless, thousands of so-called hopeless cases have been restored; if not instantaneously, at least ultimately. Since no one is really healed in Christian Science until an awakened sense of God is established in their consciousness, it is not strange if its unfoldment be gradual.

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