Article October 28, 1922 Issue

Just what is commonly meant by the word "heresy," it...

Warren O. Evans, Committee on Publication for the State of Rhode Island,

Providence Bulletin

Just what is commonly meant by the word "heresy," it would be difficult to determine; yet if the correct definition of the word is accepted, that of "religious opinion opposed to the authorized doctrinal standards of any particular church," then the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy may be said to be heterodox to the so-called orthodox of to-day.

As a matter of common knowledge, even among people who do not call themselves Christian Scientists, Christian Science is far from being classed as "quackery." In line with this, the following, taken from the Times, Alliance, Nebraska, entitled "Healing in the Church," will be of interest. Dr. R. B. H. Bell said: "The neglect of healing by the churches of to-day has been a great mistake. The question has often been asked of orthodox ministers why they completely ignore the healing part of Christ's ministry, and his unqualified statement that his followers should not only do the same things as he did, but even greater things. The writer does not profess to be a religious person in the sense of orthodox Christianity. He is not a Christian Scientist, and has never experienced physical healing by spiritual means. But just as a plain, matter-of-fact method of simple reasoning he would like to hear the ministers explain why they ignore, even belittle and ridicule, the attempt on the part of many Christian people to emulate the example of their Master in the matter of healing physical ills through the cleansing of the spirit. He would like to hear them explain by what authority they separate this important part of Christ's ministry from the rest of his earthly ministrations and say in substance to their flocks: You must believe all the other things the Master said, but his statement that his followers should do the same works as he did in the matter of physical healing, — that you must ignore. If your soul is sick, Christ can heal you; but if your body is sick, you must go to the doctor."

The words above quoted are pertinent, and are a fair example of the general trend of thought. It is therefore not surprising that the so-called orthodox churches continue to "lose thousands of communicants to Mrs. Eddy's church."

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