Editorial February 14, 1914 Issue

"The prayer of faith"

Archibald McLellan

Many of the criticisms of Christian Science have been based upon the supposition that the healing work which characterized the ministry of Christ Jesus and the early Christians was simply a special gift for a limited time and a limited purpose. When Mrs. Eddy first announced her discovery to the world, the incredulity which tried to belittle her efforts, and disputed the possibility of spiritual healing in the nineteenth century, denied both the Christianity and the science of her claim that spiritual healing was not only possible, but also that it was a necessary part of Christianity. She, however, was so confident that the healing of sickness would again be recognized by all Christians as a vital part of Christian ministry that she said (Science and Health, p. 345): "As it is evident that the likeness of Spirit cannot be material, does it not follow that God cannot be in His unlikeness and work through drugs to heal the sick? When the omnipotence of God is preached and His absoluteness is set forth, Christian sermons will heal the sick."

The truth of this prediction has been acknowledged in a measure by utterances of many Christian ministers, but never more completely than by the words of several Episcopalian clergymen at the annual diocesan convention held in San Francisco a few weeks ago. We quote from the report of this convention which appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle of Jan. 30 as follows:—

"Rev. Edward Morgan, rector of St. Luke's, San Francisco, declared emphatically that he believed and knew that the church has the power of healing through prayer, and that its ministers are able to exercise that power. He cited instances where he had himself brought about recoveries through prayer, and asserted that it was the fault of the priests of the church if they did not exercise the power that belonged to them.

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"Endless life"
February 14, 1914
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