Article August 16, 1913 Issue

I have read with interest in a recent issue of the Courier...

John L. Rendall

Ottumwa (Iowa) Daily Courier

I have read with interest in a recent issue of the Courier a synopsis of the sermon by the Rev. E. J. Bulgin, "Wilt thou be made whole?" (John v. 6) and I am impressed with the fact that in this question Jesus proved by demonstration that physical healing is available for each and every one who is willing to turn to God for help. In the fourteenth verse of the same chapter we read: "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." The plain inference is that Jesus recognized sin and sickness to be of inference same origin and procurement, the sum total of sickness being the result of the sum total of sin, and that both are healed by the "word of God."

This teaching is fundamental to Christianity and is given special emphasis in Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy states in Science and Health (p. 271): "Jesus instructed his disciples whereby to heal the sick through Mind instead of matter. He knew that the philosophy, Science, and proof of Christianity were in Truth, casting out all inharmony."

In the course of his sermon the reverend gentleman stated, "If Mrs. Eddy had been there that day, she would have said, 'You're not sick; just believe you are whole and you can walk in a few weeks.'" This gratuitous statement is pure guesswork, and voices one of the stock misconceptions of the Christian Science teachings. Mrs. Eddy states (Science and Health, p. 460): "Sickness is neither imaginary nor unreal,—that is, to the frightened, false sense of the patient. Sickness is more than fancy; it is solid conviction. It is therefore to be dealt with through right apprehension of the truth of being."

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