Article January 23, 1915 Issue

Denial of Error

WILLIAM LLOYD

When people take a decided stand on any subject, they nearly always have a reason. So when we come in contact with one who criticizes or condemns Christian Science, we generally find one uninformed as to what Christian Science is, and therefore one who is looking at the subject from a different view-point than ours. It is therefore easy for us to be loving and patient with critics, but at the same time we should be ready, as Peter directed, to give a logical "reason of the hope" that is in us.

One of the chief stumbling-blocks to those superficially informed is the fact that Christian Science requires the denial of the evidence of the material senses and the affirmation of the reality of spiritual existence; and the necessity for this denial is responsible for a large part of the criticism directed against our religion and ourselves. Critics say we must believe what we see and feel, and that if we deny this, we simply tell an untruth. One superficially informed might say: "I had a dreadful headache and I used Christian Science. I said I did not have one, and this did me no good—I had one just the same." The essential part, the conviction of man's spiritual existence, based on the understanding of spiritual law, was absent in this case, hence the failure to realize harmony.

Several years ago, one winter morning I hastily entered an office, and just inside the door stood a small gas-heater, burning full blast. I struck my foot against it, and the small round ornamental top fell off. A new carpet was on the floor. I saw the thin stream of smoke ascend and smelled the burning carpet. Without thought I stooped and picked up the iron knob with my bare fingers and set it in place. I felt the pain, and as I opened my fingers, I saw the white burn and smelled the scorched skin. The gentleman in the office had seen all, and said, "You are burned." I replied, "I am not." He answered, "Oh, yes, you are." Rather vehemently I returned, "No, I am not." I went to the next room where I had work, all the while holding steadfastly to the truth of spiritual existence as stated in Science and Health (p. 468). I did not look again at my hand, and in a few minutes the pain was gone. That afternoon the gentleman called at my office; he smiled at me and said, "You were burned this morning." For reply I held out my hand. There was not the least mark on it. That morning he thought I had told a lie, yet that afternoon he saw it was the truth.

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