Editorial August 17, 1912 ISSUE

EFFECTIVE DENIAL

John B. Willis

There are not a few of those unacquainted with the teaching of Christian Science who are disposed to refer to its so-called "denials of fact" in terms designed to amuse their hearers. In their uninformed and therefore prejudiced opinion, it amounts to a silly repetition of words, or a more silly disposition to refuse to recognize actualities, and they sometimes, in their discussion of the subject, give expression to a sense of patronizing pity.

Among those who have indulged in this "gentle raillery" are not a few ministers, who are or ought to be familiar with one of St. Paul's much-in-little phrases in which he counsels Titus and all others to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts," a phrase which evidences that he thought this spiritual activity no less sanely Christian than important. No student of the life of this "great apostle" can fail to realize that the dominant note of his character and teaching was positive, and that the denial which he commends is the fruitage of this positiveness. To say, "I don't believe it," or "It isn't so," may signify nothing more than a skeptical or negative state of mind; it has no corrective or healing power whatever. The only denial of error which counts is that which expresses a mandate of Truth.

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