Article August 1, 1914 Issue

In a recent issue I noticed a letter from a correspondent...

C. L. Ramsay—Edinburgh, Scotland

The Weekly Scotsman

In a recent issue I noticed a letter from a correspondent in Dunfermline asking for information about psychotherapeutics, in which he alluded also to Christian Science. The whole subject of mental and spiritual healing has been brought so forcibly to our notice by the publication of the report of the committee appointed to inquire into these matters, that it seems an appropriate moment in which to bring forward some simple statements on the subject for the consideration of the reading public. There has been much talk of faith-healing and of inspiring a patient with hope, and all will admit that faith and hope are valuable aids in the recovery of the sick; but the primary question still is, On what is a man to base his faith and hope, and how is he to obtain these qualities? If he depends merely on suggestion, we submit that he is leaning on a broken reed.

In the first place, a mere mental impression received, if it is not based on knowledge of truth, though it may seem beneficial while it lasts, can only be of an evanescent nature, and is bound to fade away in time, leaving the patient no better than he was before. In the second place,—and this is the more serious consideration,—by the same avenue whereby he receives a suggestion of health, the patient is open to receive a suggestion of disease, and he will be altogether more receptive of impressions of all sorts than he was before the treatment. It is plain that there is no science in such a method as this. The patient is simply for the time being giving over his mentality to the keeping of another, and when it is restored to him it may possibly have received other impressions, of which at the time neither he nor his would-be helper is aware.

Christian Science healing, on the other hand, bases its claim to be scientific in that it is founded on truth, that is, on the understanding of the true essential nature of God and man as revealed in the Bible. When the Founder of Christianity said to his disciples, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," he must have pointed to the possibility of all gaining an actual understanding of truth on which they would be able to rely in order to gain relief from the ills that afflict mankind. From this it can at once be seen that no form of suggestion is made use of in Christian Science healing. On the contrary, the Christian Scientist endeavors to set his patient free from human beliefs and suggestions of all sorts, that he may be able to hear the "still small voice" of Truth, and come under the operation of spiritual law, God's law of harmony which lies behind the turmoil of what we call human life.

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