Article March 31, 1923 Issue

Since Christian Science practice does not depend on the...

Judge Clifford P. Smith, Committee on Publication for The Mother Church,—Springfield, Mass.

Union

Since Christian Science practice does not depend on the supposed power of the so-called human mind, but depends entirely on the power and law of God, there is no reason why one individual may not aid another, whether the patient be absent from or present with the practitioner. In this connection, the essential facts are the universal presence of the divine Mind and the effect of divine causation regardless of distance or space. Since the practice of Christian Science is moral and spiritual, every adherent of this religion is urged to practice it for himself. In some respects, at least, every one must work out his own salvation, God working directly with him, as He does with every one who rightly invokes His aid. On the other hand, as James said, "Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This and other teachings in the New Testament furnish ample authority for the practice of Christian healing by one individual for another.

In recent correspondence from Holyoke, the Springfield Union also quoted a speaker as expressing the opinion that Christian Scientists are right when they say that faith in the power of God to cure will effect cures, but are wrong when they say that pain and sin do not exist. The speaker argued that "if pain and sin did not exist, the need of curing them would not exist."

Evidently the speaker thus quoted needs to give further study to the actual teachings of Christian Science. This further consideration might be aided by noticing the following meanings of the word "real"—"actual, as distinguished from fictitious or imaginary; also, existing intrinsically or inherently, as distinguished from seeming or apparent" (Webster's New International Dictionary). Even according to these definitions, the apparent or seeming existence of pain and sin does not make them real; and the teaching of Christian Science is that, to use Mrs. Eddy's own words (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 472), "All reality is in God and his creation, harmonious and eternal. That which He creates is good, and He makes all that is made."

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