Article July 8, 1916 Issue

In a recent issue of your esteemed paper there appeared...

Frank C. Barrett

Portland (Maine) Express-Advertiser

In a recent issue of your esteemed paper there appeared the following: "Since Christian Science and other cults claim the power of healing, its teachers take the place of the professional healers." "The Emmanuel movement does not profess to practise medicine. It regards such a claim as the height of folly and ignorance."

Christian Scientists do not give medical treatment, medical advice, diagnose physical ills, recommend medical, dietetic, or hygienic theories or practice. If Jesus and his immediate disciples were on earth today, they probably would "take the place of the professional healers" to some extent, but they most assuredly would not practise medicine. Christian Scientists are endeavoring to follow the Master's command by perpetuating his words and works in accordance with his declaration: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." That the doing of these works was not to be confined to his immediate disciples is also clearly indicated in the statement, "Neither pray I for these [the disciples] alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word."

In Psalms we read of the redeemed that God, Spirit, "sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." It was this same "word of truth" which Jesus understood and practised and taught more than a thousand years later. Since the "word" remains unchanged, the correct understanding of it makes possible the right healing effect in every age. Christian Science elucidates the truth contained in the Bible, and while this teaching may differ from that of some other religious teachings of today, it in no wise departs from the theology and practice of Christianity as taught by Jesus. This is proven by the beneficial effects produced by the prayerful application of the "word of truth" by Christian Scientists in healing sickness and sin. Thus it is very clear that the Christian Scientist's prayer for the sick and the sinning by no means constitutes or is related to the practice of medicine.

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