Article June 8, 1912 Issue

In a well-written article in the Sunday Sun some prescriptions...

W. C. Williams

Baltimore (Md.) Sun

In a well-written article in the Sunday Sun some prescriptions for pain were given. The writer gives his idea of the treatment of pain by Epicureans, Stoics, and Christian Scientists, and then presents as his theory that "we must not run away from pain, because it is educative." "We are not to be delivered from pain, but to glory in it, for God sends it and intends it for our good." We agree with the writer that his theory is not the Christian Science one, and from the universal fight for health we do not believe that there are many others who believe with him that it is sinful to desire to be liberated from pain.

Jesus brought men to the Father by healing them of "all manner of disease" and of suffering and lack of all kinds, and commanded his disciples and all others who believed on him to go into all the world and follow his example. If these tribulations were sent by God, Jesus would not have spent his time and efforts in taking them away or have bidden his followers to do likewise. Christian Scientists believe that the heavenly Father, who is infinitely above the human, would be much less desirous of inflicting sickness and suffering on His children than would the earthly father on his little ones; and a man who would deliberately do this would receive little consideration in the treatment accorded him.

Christian Science contends that it is not the law of omnipotence that we should suffer, but that it is the breaking of God's law, or ignorance of it, that causes all our physical as well as mental troubles. Pain is educative, if it makes us realize this to the degree that we cease sinning. Our critic in quoting Christian Scientists as saying, "You simply can't have any pain," and making the deduction that this denial is the Christian Science treatment, is wide of the mark. It is not claimed that pain is unreal to mortals until it is made so through being free from it, which freedom is gained from the understanding and realization of the true man and his relationship to the Almighty.

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