Article October 3, 1925 Issue

A certain clergyman was right in stating that much interest...

John W. Harwood, Committee on Publication for Lancashire, England,

Guardian

A certain clergyman was right in stating that much interest has been aroused in spiritual healing as a result of the faith-healing mission in Bradford. Naturally, Christian Science was mentioned in his address; and let me say, on behalf of the Christian Scientists in Morecambe, that his kindly attitude towards the subject is much appreciated. Our reverend friend evidently thinks that Christian Science has stolen a march on the Christian church; but the fact is, when Mrs. Eddy discovered, through spiritual revelation, the truth regarding the nature of God and His creation, she expected the churches to accept it joyfully and gratefully, whereas it was rejected; and this great revelation, which has affected the whole thinking world, had to find expression through the organization founded by Mrs. Eddy, and known as the Church of Christ, Scientist.

While some people believe Christian Science healing and what is generally called faith healing to be identical, it is good to see that the reverend gentleman does not. He says that he is not a Christian Scientist, but that he believes in faith healing. He also believes in the reality of pain, disease, matter. These beliefs do certainly bar him from Christian Science. They will also bar him from doing the healing works of which the world stands so much in need. Also, if, as the clergyman believes, the medical profession were a gift from God to the suffering, we should have had some indication of this from Christ Jesus; but there was not the slightest suggestion from him of this, in either word or deed. Whatever the opinions of mortals regarding Christian teaching and practice, there can be no doubt about the commands of the Founder of Christianity. He did not believe in disease, pain, or death. He did not believe in matter, nor material medica. He said, "The flesh profiteth nothing." Wherever and whenever pain, or disease, or death confronted him, he proved its unreality by destroying its appearance. He was thus doing the will of his Father, or fulfilling the law of God, in proof that disease and death are not of God, but are illegitimate—are, in the last analysis, unreal.

The practice of Christian Science is exactly like that of Christ Jesus. It is based on the knowledge of the truth that God, good, is omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience, and is the only creator, and that, being perfect, He could not be the source or originator of anything unlike Himself. In the Scriptures we are told that God made all that was made, and that all is good. Christian Science shows that disease and trouble of every kind are the result of wrong thinking. This Paul names the "carnal mind" and says it "is enmity against God," and therefore is what Jesus defined it—"a liar, and the father of it." The ability to heal these falsities is not just a special gift to favored individuals, but is the result of the understanding of Jesus' teaching. He said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 138) Mrs. Eddy tells us exactly how true Christian healing is accomplished. She writes: "Our Master said to every follower: 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature! ... Heal the sick! ... Love thy neighbor as thyself!' It was this theology of Jesus which healed the sick and the sinning. It is his theology in this book and the spiritual meaning of this theology, which heals the sick and causes the wicked to 'forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts.'"

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