Article August 8, 1925 Issue

Those who read "A History of Medicine," published in...

Frank A. Updegraff, Committee on Publication for the State of Kansas,—Fredonia

Daily Herald

Those who read "A History of Medicine," published in your columns recently, will doubtless agree with the writer that it is the outgrowth of superstition; which reminds one reader of a saying of that physician whose medicine never failed to heal, Christ Jesus. It reads, "A corrupt tree bringeth forthe evil fruit." There is encouragement, however, in the closing paragraph of the article referred to, in which the writer states: "The medical profession has pretty largely gotten away from superstition." And his "History of Medicine" might have got by unchallenged but for the false implication in which an attempt is made to associate Christian Science, therein referred to as "Eddyism," with Dowieism, Abramism, and certain other forms of what the writer terms "Folk Medicine," and which are included under the modern and more professional name of psychotherapy, or suggestive therapeutics. Such accusation, by those who are unfamiliar with the teachings of Christian Science, are as old as Christianity itself, the Founder of which was accused of casting out devils (evils) by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils. It is certain, however, that he practiced no "Folk Medicine," nor did he resort to surgery, as the term is understood to-day, or to the use of drugs. "His healing-power evoked denial, ingratitude, and betrayal, arising from sensuality," writes Mrs. Eddy in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 94). And he left this record, "If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?"

Jesus of Nazareth said of the power by which he destroyed the false claims of evil, and which he taught his followers to demonstrate, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." He proved beyond cavil that it had nothing in common with the superstitions and "Folk Medicine" of the age in which he lived and worked, and Christian Science is demonstrating in this generation to the satisfaction of unnumbered thousands of grateful and happy men and women who understand to some degree and practice its teaching, that it is the same medicine to which the great physician referred when he said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." His medicine was Mind, — not the carnal, or fleshly mind, which is "enmity against God" and which would if possible attach its offal to Christian Science under the guise of suggestive therapeutics, or some other form of "Folk Medicine." Mrs. Eddy, in the introduction of her little book entitled "No and Yes" (p. 2), says of such teaching: "A spurious and hydra-headed mind-healing is naturally glared at by the pulpit, ostracized by the medical faculty, and scorned by people of common sense." And in the same volume (pp. 1,2) she also writes: "The theology and medicine of Jesus were one,—in the divine oneness of the trinity, Life, Truth, and Love, which healed the sick and cleansed the sinful. This trinity in unity, correcting the individual thought, is the only Mind-healing I vindicate; and on its standard have emblazoned that crystallized expression, Christian Science."

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