Article January 4, 1913 Issue

A recent issue contained a sermon in which a clergyman...

R. C. Love

New Orleans (La.) Picayune

A recent issue contained a sermon in which a clergyman takes occasion to criticize Christian Science and its methods of healing. The doctor no doubt felt that he was doing his congregation a great service by building up what he thinks is Christian Science, and then tearing it down with Scriptural citations, in the endeavor to justify his position. Among the many statements made, none could be more misleading than the accusation that it is "seductive." Had he taken time to read only a little of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, it is just possible that this statements would have been left unsaid. The first sentence in this text-book is, "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love."

The basic teaching of Christian Science is that God is divine Principle, the one cause and creator, the infinite Mind which governs, directs, and maintains the universe and man. The purpose of Christian Science is to lead mankind to understand Christ Jesus' teachings in this age as they were understood and utilized in the first century. Christian Scientists accept the Scriptures as inspired writings which contain the word of God.

The mission of Jesus was to teach men the truth about God, His universe, and man, the truth about the spiritual and material world. He taught men how to pray and demonstrated how the sick are healed through prayer. No system of ethics, no rule for a standard of right living has ever been promulgated to equal the sermon on the mount. It was not Jesus' personality which healed the sick, but the Mind which he manifested. Preaching the gospel and healing the sick were ever connected in his work. In his ministry Jesus proved what he taught by his works, and to his followers he said, "These signs shall follow them that believe." That Jesus did heal all manner of disease is evidenced by the record of St. Matthew, who writes: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."

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