Article May 4, 1912 Issue

Christian Science does not teach that one may "just...

Ida Hodnett

Centreville (Ala.) Press

Christian Science does not teach that one may "just believe that there is nothing the matter with you and you will get well." The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy, says plainly in her book "No and Yes": "Disease is more than imagination" (p. 4), and in Science and Health (p. 460) she rebukes those who start "a petty crossfire" over invalids with the cold assertion, "'Nothing ails you.'" Christian Science teaches that disease is a human error, and all will agree that it should be corrected. The abnormal condition should disappear. On this subject Alfred Farlow of Boston, Mass., says in the New York Sun of Jan. 27: "It goes without saying that Christian Scientists do not ignore disease, but give it a most careful and painstaking consideration. They recognize its existence in human life, call it by the same name which others employ, and deal with it intelligently, recognizing that it does not depart because of mere neglect, but that it must be grappled with and handled scientifically."

It is a mistake to think that nothing is being done when the metaphysical or spiritual treatment of disease is employed. This was the method employed by Jesus in his healing work, and this great Teacher declared by word and deed that "the flesh profiteth nothing;" and, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Christian Scientists are proving to themselves and others that the "word" of Truth destroys human ills when it is declared with a correct apprehension of God and man's relation to God. In the present immature understanding of Christian Science, failures sometimes occur. Its students meekly admit that they have not yet attained that full knowledge of God which Jesus had, and failures may appear either from their lack of preparation, or from lack of receptivity in the place where "the sower soweth the word." The gospels tell us that in some places our great Master, Jesus, "did not many mighty works there," but his success in healing other cases proved the Principle and rule by which he worked to be availing. He proved that God, who is Spirit, can and does heal our diseases. Christian Scientists are endeavoring to follow in this line of work to the best of their understanding, and their understanding of Spirit and spiritual law is growing. This is proved by marked success in numerous cases, many of which present very serious aspects.

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