Article March 7, 1914 Issue

Under the heading "Spiritualism" in a recent issue, there...

Frederick Dixon—Paignton, England

Paignton Observer

Under the heading "Spiritualism" in a recent issue, there is a letter in which the writer states that not long ago a series of lectures was given by a Christian Scientist in Paignton, at Deller's café. The large placard of this meeting was sent to me, together with a copy of your paper in which the letter appears. I am sure, therefore, you will permit me to say that the lectures in question had nothing whatever to do with Christian Science, but were given on the subject of theosophy. With regard to the teachings of theosophy it is not my intention to say anything, as it is a rule of the Christian Science movement never to criticize the beliefs of those who differ from it. I shall be obliged, however, if you will permit me to point out that the two movements are absolutely distinct and antithetical in their teaching, and have absolutely no connection with each other.

Christian Science sets forth the means whereby the teaching of primitive Christianity is made practical today. That is to say, Mrs. Eddy, in her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," shows that the command of the Founder of Christianity was not merely to preach the gospel, but also to heal the sick; in plain English, that theory and practice cannot be separated from each other, and that the only guaranty anybody has that the gospel preached is the gospel of Jesus the Christ, is the proof demanded by him that the works he did should be repeated. When Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also," he made the ability to perform those works in some measure the test of the claim to be a Christian, and the ratio of any person's Christianity is in exact proportion to that person's ability to repeat Jesus' works. For several centuries after the ascension, the healing of the sick was regarded as a natural part of Christian practice. The prayer-book of Edward VI contained a service for healing the sick, which is a proof that even as late as the sixteenth century the claim had not been utterly abandoned. Gradually, however, the preaching of the gospel became separated from the healing of the sick, and the responsibility of the latter was thrown upon the medical profession.

In explaining Christian Science to the world, Mrs. Eddy demanded that Christians should reassume the responsibility placed upon them by the obvious teaching of the gospel. At the same time, Christian Science is not merely the attempt to heal the sick. It is essentially the effort to overcome sin in the human consciousness. For centuries, the connection between sin and sickness has been loosely and theoretically admitted. It is only in the teaching of Christian Science that in modern times the scientific relation of the one to the other has been fully understood; and as this relation is understood, the world begins to realize why Jesus said, "Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" The teaching of Christian Science is aimed, therefore, not merely at the healing of the physically sick, but at the healing of those who are sick with the belief of sorrow or want or sin, indeed of those who are sick from believing in some power other than God. In short, as Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 150): "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."

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