Editorial January 16, 1915 Issue

"Conformed to the doctrines"

Archibald McLellan

Notwithstanding the fact that a very large portion of the New Testament is given over to the account of our Master's work in healing the sick, the one point upon which many critics of Christian Science base their objection to this religion is that its followers profess to heal the sick by the same means which Christ Jesus employed. In fact, it seems that if it were not for this feature of Mrs. Eddy's teachings, these people would make little, if any, objection to the inclusion of Christian Science in the list of Christian and evangelical religions. As some of them even go so far as to question the right of Christian Scientists to be called Christians, or this teaching a Christian religion, it may be well to set forth an accepted definition of the word Christian, in order to clear up this misapprehension. We therefore quote from Webster as follows:—

"One who believes, or professes or is assumed to believe, in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by him; an adherent of Christianity; especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed to the doctrines of Christ."

Those who in the face of this definition assail the Christianity of Mrs. Eddy's followers, must either deny the legitimacy of our Master's works, or take the position that these works were to be done only by a limited number and for a limited time. As to the legitimacy of all our Master's works, he himself said: "I came ... not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." As to their universality among Christians, he said: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." He also included this healing work in his command which set the standard for Christianity: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

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