Article April 22, 1916 Issue

A correspondent maintains that the supreme test of any...

E. M. Ramsay—Lerwick, Shetland Islands

The Shetland Times

A correspondent maintains that the supreme test of any system of religion lies in its agreement with the Scriptures or its departure therefrom. So far we are in complete accord with him; when, however, he goes on to say that he has shown in former letters that Christian Science contradicts and opposes to some extent the testimony of the Scriptures, and that Christian Scientists when confronted with facts become evasive and have nothing to say, we do not admit the charge for a moment.

Much as we love and reverence the Old Testament, it is plain that we must turn to the words and works of Jesus in order to gain the clearest knowledge of God. In this connection let me remind your readers of a striking statement made by our Lord himself—"Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." These words were said on a remarkable occasion. John had sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" To this question the Saviour replied by telling the messengers to return to their master and tell him that the blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf, were being healed and the dead restored to life, and the poor (the beggars, that is, those hungering and thirsting after righteousness) "have the gospel preached to them." He pointed to these works as the proof of his Messiahship.

On what basis were these healing works wrought? They were wrought through the recognition that the real man is not born of woman; that is, that the reality of his being is spiritual, made in the image and likeness of God, and that man is therefore as invisible to the material senses as is his creator. A careful study of the New Testament will show that our Lord constantly taught that man's welfare depends much less on what he eats, drinks, and wears, than on what he thinks; that we must improve our thinking if we would become healthier, happier, and more successful. "The meek shall inherit the earth," the psalmist said.

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