Article January 31, 1925 Issue

The writer of an interesting communication in a recent...

George W. Foster, Committee on Publication for the State of Maine,—Fort Fairfield

Review

The writer of an interesting communication in a recent issue of your paper, referring to a mission of healing to be conducted under the auspices of a Christian church, took occasion to allude to Christian Science as a "fake healing cult." Christian Scientists rejoice that so many clergymen and churches are interested in the present-day restoration of the divine, spiritual healing that so signally characterized the early days of the Christian era. The thousands who can and do joyfully testify that in their own experience they have seen sickness replaced by health, discord succeeded by harmony, and sin destroyed by a love for righteousness, and who further testify that this healing and regeneration has been brought about through the better understanding of God and His Word that has come to them through the study and practice of Christian Science, as taught by Mary Baker Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," can only pity those who, misunderstanding what this teaching is, can speak slightingly of Christian Science as a "fake." To-day Christian Science is known and respected in every part of the civilized world, and it seems hardly courteous for your correspondent to designate that religion as "Eddyism." There is no better way to test any system of religion than by the results obtained. Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

It is regrettable that any professed followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene should deem it fitting to apply opprobrious epithets to other disciples of our Lord and Master, who rely upon his promises as recorded by Mark, namely, "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

The attention of our critic is respectfully directed to an incident related in Mark's gospel, where John is described as saying, "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us." Jesus, however, said, "Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part." Christian Scientists have the kindliest of feelings and the greatest respect for every effort to bring the attention of suffering humanity to Him "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." The world is becoming more and more ready to turn to Christian healing. Many years ago, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, wrote (Pulpit and Press, p. 22): "All Christian churches have one bond of unity, one nucleus or point of convergence, one prayer,—the Lord's Prayer. . . . If the lives of Christian Scientists attest their fidelity to Truth, I predict that in the twentieth century every Christian church in our land, and a few in far-off lands, will approximate the understanding of Christian Science sufficiently to heal the sick in his name. . . . When the doctrinal barriers between the churches are broken, and the bonds of peace are cemented by spiritual understanding and Love, there will be unity of spirit, and the healing power pf Christ will prevail."

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