Article September 23, 1922 Issue

The evident conviction of a critic, writing in a recent...

Charles E. Heitman, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,—New York

Medical Times

The evident conviction of a critic, writing in a recent issue of your paper, that a purely material recompense could tempt those who are relying wholly upon God to reward and direct their efforts brings to mind the experience of Jesus with the tempter, as recited in the fourth chapter of Matthew. It will be remembered that the tempter, assuming the attitude of superiority, undertook to subordinate the operation of divine law to his human will and make allegiance to the Most

High an object of barter and trade. Presuming first to dictate to Jesus the manner, form, and outline of his individual demonstration of spiritual power and failing to thus insnare the Master, he finally offered him a reward of material wealth and worldly glory as an added incentive to renounce the might of Spirit and acknowledge a power apart from God; but this, too, received a fitting rebuke from the great Teacher. In a similar manner, your correspondent, apparently blinded by his material beliefs, would demand specific signs of God's healing power and through a tender of money attempt to influence a great and earnest body of Christian workers who are actively engaged in healing the sick, not only in obedience to Jesus' command, but likewise in accordance with the purely spiritual system employed by him.

Christian Scientists recognize that they can demonstrate only what they understand; and as their understanding grows they will be able to accomplish many things which may now seem impossible to unbelievers in this mode of healing. This process of unfoldment is not an uncommon experience in human affairs, as is evidenced in the progressive development of such important conveniences as the telephone, wireless telegraphy, and the automobile, all of which were looked upon only a few years ago by a great majority of so-called practical people as being impractical inventions. Therefore Christian Scientists find ample reason for increased hope and gratitude in the realization that they are proving to the satisfaction of the world at large and incidentally to a substantial wing of the medical fraternity itself that the teaching of Christian Science as to the mental cause and cure of disease is to-day a practical and demonstrable fact.

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