Article August 30, 1919 Issue

A writer states that "Christian Science was born through...

F. B. Schwentker in

Albuquerque (N. M.) Herald

A writer states that "Christian Science was born through lack of attention on the part of the medical profession to mental suggestion in the treatment of disease," thus by inference at least likening Christian Science treatment to mental suggestion. Now every student of Christian Science knows that mental suggestion, hypnotism, and mesmerism (for they are all synonymous) are diametrically the opposite of Christian Science. Those who practice these occult teachings rely entirely on the human mind in their endeavor to produce results, while Christian Scientists rely entirely on the divine Mind, or God, for healing from sickness as well as sin. In her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy devotes one entire chapter to this subject, making very plain the great gulf that exists between Christian Science practice and all other forms of mental practice.

In Biblical times the scribes and Pharisees made the same accusation against Jesus' healing work. He answered them by saying: "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." Christian Scientists know that the human or mortal mind is the cause of all discord and disease and therefore it would be folly to rely on the same mind to destroy what it causes.

The other error is that this gentleman would classify Christian Science as medical practice when it is nothing of the sort. Christian Science is a religion pure and simple—the same religion that Christ Jesus taught and practiced while here on earth. He healed all manner of sickness as well as sin, and declared repeatedly that his followers should do the same. It was not necessary for him to take a four years' course in medicine before it was safe for him to heal the sick, and it is no more rational to-day to ask that a Christian Scientist should graduate from a medical college before being allowed to practice his religion. But this point has passed beyond the stage where argument is necessary, as our courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States, have held in effect that prayer for the sick is not the practice of medicine. As a reason for this requirement our critic resorts to the old cry that Christian Scientists spread contagious disease. Now twenty years ago, before the results of Christian Science were well known, such a charge might have aroused much fear, but not so to-day. Health officials have repeatedly reported, and it is generally known, that Christian Scientists are if anything more careful than the average person in reporting contagious disease. No epidemic has ever been traced to carelessness on the part of Christian Scientists. If suspicious symptoms appear a Christian Science parent will call in a physician to diagnose the case, or report it directly to the health officer, just as promptly as the average parent will.

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