Editorial October 10, 1914 Issue

Of God Alone

Archibald McLellan

In the thought of many who have but a superficial knowledge of Christian Science, or more correctly speaking, a superficial knowledge that there is a system of healing called Christian Science, is the belief that the healing of sickness is all there is to this teaching. We speak advisedly, therefore, in saying that such critics have but a superficial knowledge of the actual teachings of Christian Science, else they would not have overlooked Mrs. Eddy's statement on page 150 of Science and Health: "The mission of Christian Science now, as in the time of its earlier demonstration, is not primarily one of physical healing. Now, as then, signs and wonders are wrought in the metaphysical healing of physical disease; but these signs are only to demonstrate its divine origin,—to attest the reality of the higher mission of the Christ-power to take away the sins of the world."

It is almost impossible in these days for one to dispute that Christian Science does heal the sick and reform the sinning, without being promptly confronted with a host of witnesses to the healing power of Truth. Even then the would-be critic infers, as did the Pharisees of old, that the healing is not through the power of God; in other words, that it is accomplished largely through suggestion. This misapprehension of what Christian Science is and how it does its work is in a measure due to the common belief that in their use of the word "Mind," Christian Scientists are referring to the brain, intellect, or will-power of some person or persons, and that through these channels they hope to control the "minds" of others, enabling them to substitute a belief of health for a belief of sickness, irrespective of the truth or of appearances.

Again we find the mistaken sense of what Christian Science actually teaches. Mrs. Eddy, in Science and Health (p. 591), defines Mind as "the only I, or Us; the only Spirit, Soul, divine Principle, substance, Life, Truth, Love; the one God; not that which is in man, but the divine Principle, or God, of whom man is the full and perfect expression; Deity, which outlines but is not outlined." Surely there is nothing in this definition to warrant a claim of kinship with the mutable, fallible will which we all must acknowledge mortal mind to be, that "carnal mind" which Paul declares is "enmity against God," and therefore as opposite as the poles in its workings.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Of God Alone

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access