Editorial November 8, 1913 Issue

Spirituality

Annie M. Knott

We occasionally hear the remark from outsiders that Christian Science is not a spiritual religion, because from their point of view the emphasis is largely laid upon physical healing. Impressions of this sort are often gathered from the testimonies of healing given at the Wednesday evening meetings, or published in our periodicals, and we must not overlook the fact that a good deal is said about the body and its ailments, up to the point of emancipation in Christian Science from this bondage. The non-Scientist would most likely fail to see that the tendency to talk about bodily conditions is due to early associations and habits, also the generally prevailing belief in physical law and the diseases attached thereto. It is true that this tendency is to a large extent overcome when people accept Christian Science, but in the recalling of past experiences, when people are giving testimonies, it is apt to crop out. Then there is a desire, on the part of many listeners who need healing, to know if those who testify had ailments and symptoms similar to their own, and to this the one testifying often responds, it may be unconsciously, although to his own sense the emphasis is all placed upon the fact that he was healed by divine power after material means had failed.

Here some one is likely to say that non-Scientists do not talk about their ailments in discussing their religion, and this may be granted; but such people do not believe that religion can heal, while the Christian Scientist does, which is an important difference. Even so spiritual a man as John the Baptist became confused over this question, and doubted the Messiah-ship of Christ Jesus because of the prominence given in his ministry to healing. Moreover, John sent from his prison a sort of protest to the great Teacher; but the answer was, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see;" then the Master enumerated the healing works which were being done by himself and his students, and added a blessing to those who should not be "offended" or antagonized by his work. On another occasion the Pharisees charged Jesus with casting out devils "by Beelzebub," and he asked them, "By whom do your children cast them out?" They did not even attempt to heal by spiritual means, as did the Master, but relied upon faith in matter as a curative agent, as the multitudes do today; and now, as then, the demand of a spiritual religion which heals the sick arouses the bitterest opposition on the part of mortal mind, until sufferers begin to see that as man is a spiritual being the human need of healing must be met by a spiritual remedy.

Our brethren in the other churches do not perhaps see what it means to us to apply the word of God with perfect assurance in every hour of need, or know that our confidence is strengthened in every experience, whether the healing come slow or fast, because in either case the whole result is far beyond what we ever experienced when we relied upon drugs. Even on the physical side there is renewed energy, greater than ever before,—the more abundant life promised by Christ Jesus; and this includes the quickening of the spiritual nature and the consequent disappearance of the evil passions of the carnal mind, as darkness is swallowed up by light. This is explained by Mrs. Eddy as a spiritually scientific process, the full understanding of God and man bringing the perfect healing which means the realization of sinless and deathless life. (See Science and Health, pp. 115, 116.)

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