Article July 12, 1913 Issue

An item in the Daily Times reporting a recent talk by...

H. Cornell Wilson

The Flushing (N. Y.) Daily Times

An item in the Daily Times reporting a recent talk by Miss Elizabeth D. Vermilye, given before an audience of women in the Reformed Church, Flushing, expresses views of Christian Science quite the reverse of its teachings, views which are the result of a manifest ignorance of the subject. Had the speaker known that Christian Science bears no likeness whatever to Hinduism, but is the exact antithesis of it in all essential respects, it is to be assumed, in justice to her, that she would not have likened Christian Science to "modern Hinduism." On a previous occasion a newspaper writer had this to say in reporting her talk: "This linking of the teachings of Christian Science and the mysticism of the Asiatic Hindu was something new." Permit me, therefore, to state with emphasis, howbeit with all kindliness of feeling, that Christian Science has been grossly misrepresented, not only in this respect but in others as well.

The definition of God given in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, reads: "The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence" (p. 587). If one will contrast this explanation, the authority for which is clearly derived from the Scriptures, with the perverted statement of our critic, used evidently to discredit Christian Science, a good reason will be seen, by persons desiring to know about its teachings, why they should go directly to the text-book.

The incident this critic relates, of having "produced a swelling by thinking a pain into her finger to prove the power of mind over the body," clearly illustrates that pain and suffering, in fact all sin, disease, and death, originate in the human or mortal mind, but this is not the Mind which is invoked by Christian Scientists. To overcome suffering, actually to heal disease and thus destroy it, in obedience to the Master's command to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils," one must understand that Mind which was in Christ Jesus. "To be carnally minded," Paul says, "is death [with all that pertains or leads to this enemy]; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Can any one imagine Jesus "thinking a pain" into himself or another? He was renowned throughout his travels because he made the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, the blind to see; because he healed the lepers, restored the paralytics, and raised the dead. This he accomplished by doing the will of the Father. With the thought fixed on God, no opportunity would occur for "thinking a pain," for He healeth all our diseases. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

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