Article February 8, 1919 Issue

The critic of Christian Science who signs with the initials...

Peter B. Biggins—Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The Canadian

The critic of Christian Science who signs with the initials "E. E.," tells us that he bases his criticism on the theory that "without the background of pain, the joy of conscious happiness would be unknown." To support his contention he refers to Jesus' metaphor of the vine, and quotes his words: "He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit," implying that this purging is by means of pain. This is disproved by the words which immediately follow, and which show that the purging or cleansing is by the word of the healing Christ: "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." What Christ Jesus thought of the nature of pain and disease is very clearly seen in his reference to the woman whom he healed of rheumatism. He spoke of her as one "whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years." If pain is essential to happiness, Christ Jesus would not have removed it so quickly.

Christian Scientists accept the teaching and practice of Christ Jesus as the certain solution of all the problems of human existence. They are diligently striving to alleviate human suffering on this unassailable basis, and the measure of their success proves the soundness of their trust.

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February 8, 1919
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