Editorial November 10, 1917 Issue

Christian Science Compassionate

Annie M. Knott

Those who have been acquainted with Christian Science for a number of years cannot help noticing the great changes which are taking place in the world's thinking as a result of the truth taught in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as well as in Mrs. Eddy's other writings. On page 118 of Science and Health we read: "In all mortal forms of thought, dust is dignified as the natural status of men and things, and modes of material motion are honored with the name of laws. This continues until the leaven of Spirit changes the whole of mortal thought, as yeast changes the chemical properties of meal."

Here it may be noted that before Christian Science was given to the world the homeopathic system of medication was bringing about very striking changes in the treatment of the sick, and although its theories were stoutly opposed by the older schools of medicine, yet within a short time their methods were greatly modified because of the protests which were made against the free use of poisonous durgs in medical practice.

In the earlier years of the Christian Science movement much objection was made to the teaching that all diseases—indeed, suffering of every kind—were due to mortal belief and not to any material condition; but at the present time, as never before, Mrs. Eddy's contention respecting this fact is conceded, even by the decisions of materia medica, especially in its treatment of those engaged in military service. So far as one can judge from ably written articles on this subject, it would seem that there is perhaps as large a number of men in the military hospitals suffering from diseases which are almost wholly the result of their own fears, as of those who have been actually wounded and who are under surgical treatment. To the student of Christian Science it might seem a very important thing to have such admissions made, but it must not be forgotten that Christian Science never approaches a sufferer, whatever be the supposed nature of his distress, with the statement that his suffering is due to imagination. Christian Science goes much deeper than this, as may be seen from these words of our Leader on page 460 of Science and Health, namely, "Our system of Mind-healing rests on the apprehension of the nature and essence of all being,—on the divine Mind and Love's essential qualities." It would therefore be very superficial to approach one who to mortal sense is a sufferer, whether from the injuries and terrors of the battle field, or the ills which come to so many in the dismal struggles of mortal existence, with a mere denial of his distress. When the truth of being is reached fear is overcome in the Christ way.

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