Article May 4, 1912 Issue

To state that "prayer is unnecessary" is not only to misquote...

Olcott Haskell

Mill Valley (Cal.) Record-Enterprise

To state that "prayer is unnecessary" is not only to misquote Mrs. Eddy but to misinterpret the entire practice of Christian Science, which is founded upon the efficacy of prayer. Mrs. Eddy explains that repeating words of petition does not necessarily constitute true prayer. In the chapter on this subject in Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy describes that spiritual understanding of God which "reforms the sinner and heals the sick;" that "prayer, watching, and working, combined with self-immolation, are God's gracious means for accomplishing whatever has been successfully done for the Christianization and health of mankind" (p. 1).

Christian Scientists acknowledge Christ, the Son of God; they acknowledge that Christ Jesus came to teach men the truth of God to save them from sin; and that he left this command with promise for his followers in all ages: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ... And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Christian Scientists accept "the doctrines or moral principles the Saviour taught," and they put these into practice. It should not be held as something against them that their prayers heal those at a distance, when we remember that Jesus himself healed those who were absent as readily as those present, and that he said: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do." Christian Science does indeed appeal to the suffering multitude. Jesus himself said, "They that be whole need not a physician," and it is recorded that "the common people heard him gladly."

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