Article May 24, 1913 Issue

I have read a letter that appeared in a recent issue, in...

Algernon Hervey Bathurst—Cornwall, England.

Falmouth Packet

I have read a letter that appeared in a recent issue, in which a reference of a decidedly wild nature, if I may be permitted to say so, is made to Christian Science, and all this on the report that a place of worship is to be let to some Christian Scientists. Your correspondent goes on to say that he can "scarcely believe that such can be the case." Those who have read the letter to which I refer will doubtless agree with the critic, if they believe Christian Science to conform to his description of it. The critic gives also what he is pleased to term "the fundamental tenets" of Christian Science. Now, those who really want to know what the tenets of Christian Science are, have merely to turn to page 497 of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. The first of these tenets is as follows: "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." All of them differ very considerably from any of the "tenets" given by the critic.

With regard to the healing of Christian Science he has also made a great mistake. Christian Science has nothing whatever to do with the power of "mind over matter," nor is the healing through Christian Science treatment confined to "hysteria and neurosis," although the world would surely have good cause for gratitude even if Christian Science healed only cases which come under this heading. The healing in Christian Science is the result, not of treating disease as something which has control over man, but of gaining some understanding of God and His perfect creation, including man. On page 476 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, andthis correct view of man healed the sick." It is just this spiritual or scientific understanding of man which Christian Scientists are striving to gain. The proof that this correct view of man is being attained is afforded in the innumerable cases of healing throughout the world, not only of hysteria and neurosis, but of diseases of every kind, both functional and organic. There was a time when some people endeavored to prove that Christian Science did not heal, but that day is past. It is now well known that Christian Science is healing men and women all over the world, and it is gradually being better understood that this healing is in no way connected with the control or manipulation of the human mind, but is accomplished solely to the extent that Christian Scientists are able to let Mind be in them which was also in Christ Jesus.

In view of this, it is surely hardly possible for any one to imply that Christian Science is either unchristian or unscientific. Indeed, it would be difficult to find a body of people who are striving more faithfully to fulfil the direct commands of Christ Jesus, to prove their faith by their works, for, as he said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also."

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