Article June 5, 1926 Issue

A sermon on "Faith Healing," reported in your recent...

Aaron E. Brandt, Committee on Publication for the State of Pennsylvania,—Scranton

Republican

A sermon on "Faith Healing," reported in your recent issue, contains an erroneous reference to Christian Science as being a form of healing "by suggestion or waking hypnotism," which we ask leave to correct. There is an irreconcilable difference between Christian Science, a purely spiritual method of healing, and the practice of human suggestion or hypnotism of any kind. It is repugnant in the extreme even to associate methods which the infidels and the impure practice, with the high and mighty truths of divine metaphysics taught and practiced by Christ Jesus and his disciples. Genuine Christian Science cannot be subject to such misuse as will bring evil results upon any one. Hypnotism, on the other hand, is included by Mrs. Eddy in her definition of "devil," evil (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 584). On page 104 of the same book she writes, "The hypnotizer employs one error to destroy another;" and on page 375: "The Christian Scientist demonstrates that divine Mind heals, while the hypnotist dispossesses the patient of his individuality in order to control him. No person is benefited by yielding his mentality to any mental despotism or malpractice. . . . The genuine Christian Scientist is adding to his patient's mental and moral power, and is increasing his patient's spirituality while restoring him physically through divine Love."

Christian Science heals through regeneration. Such healing involves an understanding of spiritual being, and it is not limited to any particular form of illness or disease. What mankind needs, as Mrs. Eddy clearly saw, is not hypnotic influence, so called, but spiritual qualities, the attainment of which will solve all human problems. Without such qualities true being will never be worked out, either for individuals or for nations.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Unwarranted remarks on the life and work of Mary...
June 5, 1926
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit