Article July 24, 1926 Issue

By way of correcting any false impression that may have...

Charles E. Heitman, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,—Corning

Evening Leader

By way of correcting any false impression that may have been conveyed by a reference to Christian Science contained in the address of an archdeascon, as reported in a recent issue, please permit me to say that Christian Science does not, as our reverend friend seems to think, heal by a process of suggestion. In fact, its teachings specifically prohibit the use of suggestion in any form. The system of mental therapy for which the term "suggestion" stands is essentially mesmeric in character and rests upon the theory of many minds, the influence of one mind over another, and finally the subjection of one mind to another. Christian Science, on the other hand, maintains that there is but one Mind, infinite and divine, called God. The chief difficulty with those who confuse the purely spiritual methods of Christian Science with the practice of mental suggestion is that they fail to discriminate between the one infinite divine Mind, with its healing and corrective activity, as explained in the teachings and consciously reflected in the practice of Christian Science, and the hypnotic operation of the human will, upon which all adherents of suggestive processes rely for healing. In his healing ministry the practitioner of Christian Science, following the example of Jesus, depends wholly upon the prayer of spiritual understanding and with the Master declares: "I can of mine own self do nothing;" "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." The Christian Scientist, that is to say, endeavors to get self out of the way and takes the position that he possesses no curative power of his own, but as an idea of divine Mind reflects spiritually all that belongs to God.

Again, according to Christian Science, matter with its diseased conditions is but the manifestation of erroneous beliefs, a subjective state of so-called mortal mind. It further holds that as this mind is improved through the redemptive activity of spiritual unfoldment, such improvement externalizes itself in the form of better health and cleaner morals—a better subjective state. All of which is nothing more than a restatement of the teachings of the Apostle Paul to the effect that we renew our bodies through the renewing of our minds. Paul taught, even as did Jesus, that it is through the revelation of Christ, the spiritual idea of God, the divine manifestation of good to individual consciousness, that the ills of the flesh are destroyed. Directly in accord with this Scriptural teaching Mrs. Eddy has written on page 332 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "The Christ is incorporeal, spiritual,—yea, the divine image and likeness, dispelling the illusions of the senses; the Way, the Truth, and the Life, healing the sick and casting out evils, destroying sin, disease, and death." It will be seen from this brief quotation, contrary to the expressed view of our critic, that the Christ not only is given a prominent place in the healing minstry of Christian Science, but is recognized as the divine agency by means of which the healing is effected.

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