Article November 22, 1913 Issue

A recent issue contains the report of a sermon by the vicar...

John W. Harwood

Colne and Nelson (England) Times

A recent issue contains the report of a sermon by the vicar of Holy Trinity church on "Christianity and Christian Science." It is not surprising that the subject should receive such attention, for Christian Science has, by its works of healing, directed the attention of thinkers the world over to the simple teachings of Christ Jesus. The vicar is quite near the mark in saying that Christian Science has only reasserted an old truth. It is just a reiteration of the eternal truth as taught and demonstrated by Jesus. To the reverend gentleman it would appear that Christian Science has but proclaimed a portion of the truth which the church has neglected, — that of the necessity of healing of sick. When Jesus taught the multitudes, the healing of the sick followed as a natural consequence, and he ever drew attention to the works as proof of the truth of his teaching; not only this, he said that these signs should follow them that believe. There is, therefore, no doubt as to the means of identifying true Christianity.

The Christian Science movement is growing at a phenomenal rate, just because it is fulfilling the condition enjoined by Jesus. The sick are being healed, the sorrowing comforted, the sinning freed from their bondage. Christian Science not only shows that mortal mind governs the body, but also shows that this carnal mind, as St. Paul calls it, which "is enmity against God," divine Mind, is the source of all trouble. So it will be seen that this is not the mind used in healing, for that which causes disease cannot be a healer of disease. Salvation, then, from these mortal-mind conditions, is by way of true thinking. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Christian Science reveals the truth about God and His creation. It accepts Jesus' definition that God is Spirit, and that therefore His creation must be and is spiritual.

Christian Science certainly does not teach that matter is the vesture of Spirit. Did not Jesus say that "it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh [matter] profiteth nothing"? Why should it profit nothing if it be God's vesture? The vicar's reasoning would make the works of the flesh equal to and as God-ordained as the fruits of the Spirit. It would impute to God the responsibility of permitting, nay, of causing all the evils of mortal existence. Christian Science teaches that God is infinite Spirit, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent good, in whose presence evil (which includes all materiality, sin, disease) is proved to be impotent, nothing. This coincides with Jesus' teaching, for he proved by healing every discordant condition, whether manifested as sin, disease, death, or tempest, that it was not God-created or God-permitted. He came to do his Father's will, to fulfil God's law, and he said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." If it had been God's intention that material remedies should be used for the healing of disease, Jesus would have used them. It is evident that Jesus' way is the best way, and we have his promise that in proportion to our understanding of his teaching will the healing be manifested. Before the vicar again attempts to write disparaging comparisons between Christian Science and his conception of Christianity, let him direct his attention to the fulfilment of the command of our Saviour to preach the gospel and heal the sick.

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