Editorial September 27, 1913 Issue

"Radical reliance on Truth"

Archibald McLellan

Christian Scientists rightfully complain of those critics of Mrs. Eddy's teachings who, starting with a misconception of these teachings, attempt to read into them something which is not there. Is there not even greater reason for complaint when Christian Scientists themselves read into Mrs. Eddy's writings something which they wish to see there? A case very much in point is Section 23 of Article VIII of the Church Manual, which reads as follows:—

"If a member of this church has a patient whom he does not heal, and whose case he cannot fully diagnose, he may consult with an M. D. on the anatomy involved. And it shall be the privilege of a Christian Scientist to confer with an M. D. on Ontology, or the Science of being."

The wording of this by-law is so positive, and the condition which must first have arisen is so definitely stated, that one is always amazed to hear a Christian Scientist referring to it as an authorization for the mistaken practise which some practitioners have fallen into, namely, that of insisting upon having a physician's diagnosis of practically every case they attempt to heal, notwithstanding that to do this is to ignore the very definite statement on page 370 of Science and Health, that "a physical diagnosis of disease—since mortal mind must be the cause of disease—tends to induce disease;" and on page 198, where Mrs. Eddy points out that "a patient's belief is more or less molded and formed by his doctor's belief in the case, even though the doctor says nothing to support his theory. His thoughts and his patient's commingle, and the stronger thoughts rule the weaker." Again, on page 398, she says: "Sometimes Jesus called a disease by name. . . . These instances show the concessions which Jesus was willing to make to the popular ignorance of spiritual Life-laws."