Article January 4, 1913 Issue

In the report which appeared in a recent issue of your...

H. Coulson Fairchild

Atlantic City (N. J.) Press

In the report which appeared in a recent issue of your paper concerning the remarks made by a clergyman, I note that Christian Science came in for more or less of criticism. It is but fair that your readers should know that Christian Science has no kinship with spiritualism, will-power, or systems associated with the power of the human mind so called, and should not be classed with them. It is said "the speaker endeavored to prove what he termed the folly of following false teachings and neglecting the great 'truth' as given in the Word of God." Christian Scientists will agree with the critic in this regard, and call attention to a number of the express commands of the Master, Christ Jesus, which we believe have been sadly neglected, the practical import and the value of which cannot be estimated.

Among these express commands exphasized and reiterated in the Word of God, is the command to heal the sick as well as to preach the gospel. In fact, throughout the Bible the healing of the sick and the destruction of sinful beliefs is indissolubly associated with the history of the prophets as set forth in the Old Testament and with the work of Christ Jesus as set forth in the New Testament. In the 103d Psalm, we learn that it is God "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." Again the psalmist says: "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Yet again we read the words of Christ Jesus, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."

In fulfilling the law of God, Jesus healed the sick, destroyed sin and forgave sinners, raised the dead, cast out devils. In thus fulfilling the divine law, Jesus did not dishonor God but gave to Him the honor and glory. He said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." The express command of Jesus to his followers is found in the tenth chapter of Matthew: "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." This has been called "Jesus' great commission to the twelve," but Christian Scientists have every reason to believe, from the Biblical record and in their own experience, that this command was not for a limited time or to a limited number. For instance, the promise of Christ Jesus reads, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

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