Article December 7, 1918 Issue

The review of a book on mental healing in the Register,...

Avery Coonley—Washington, D. C.

Army and Navy Register

The review of a book on mental healing in the Register, apparently for the reason that it was supposed to give an accurate explanation of Christian Science healing, was gratifying, even though the supposition was not correct. The author of the book evidently assumed that Christian Science healing is brought about by the "influence of the patient's own mind on his own body." This is erroneous, but, believing as he does, it is not surprising that he concludes that such a process is inadequate to cure organic diseases, although he believes that it will cure functional troubles. Christian Scientists would have no more faith in such a process than does the author—perhaps not so much.

The fact is, however, that Christian Science healing is and claims to be nothing other than Christian healing. Such healing was never confined to Jesus' personal ministry, but was an essential part of primitive Christianity for two hundred years after the crucifixion, and the Bible furnishes no reason for permitting its practice to lapse. No one would contend that the healings of the Bible were brought about by a physical or medical process: they were manifestly mental, or, more accurately speaking, spiritual. Neither would a careful reading permit the contention that they were accomplished by any power less than the power of God, "who healeth all thy diseases." Obviously, certain ailments cannot be placed beyond the reach of divine power or law, simply by classifying them as "organic."

Original Christianity healed "all manner of diseases," and the Bible record includes cures of several of the diseases that the author in question declares to be incurable by such means; for instance, blindness, deafness, and imperfect bone structure. The "man lame from his mother's womb," is an example of the last named.

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