Article January 7, 1928 Issue

It is surprising to find at this period that Christian Science...

George C. Eames, Committee on Publication for the State of Maine,—Lewiston

Daily Sun

It is surprising to find at this period that Christian Science is not better known than is indicated by the remarks of the Universalist minister published in a recent issue of your paper. The object of this letter is to correct any misapprehension that may have followed. Had the speaker made a study of the subject which he was criticizing, as it is covered in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, he would have understood that Christian Science does not deny that "sickness, pain, and death" are experiences of so-called mortal existence, but that it does deny that these errors are any part of man's real being. He would also have observed throughout the entire book that Mrs. Eddy is continually pointing out the possibility of men awakening from the sense of "sentient and rational being" (as he terms it) into their true spiritual consciousness, where sin and sickness are unknown. This is not a new teaching, since the Bible says, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit;" and again, "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." That the minister has not always believed in the impossibility of those believing in "sentient and rational being" attaining an harmonious state, is evidenced by a quotation from one of his previous sermons: "Its object [salvation] is to increase the righteousness of the individual to-day, to lessen the suffering of humanity to-morrow, to reduce the sum of the world's evil until, finally, the world of mankind shall have merged into the kingdom of God. The Saviour (Jesus of Nazareth), by his teaching, by his example, and by the wonderful influence of his spirit in the world, plants the Christian motive in the hearts of men, which brings them into harmony with good, or God."

If the rejection of physical means—instruments and medicine—as things essential to the healing art, is unscientific, then Jesus was most unscientific. He did not recommend, or resort to, the use of material means of any sort in his practice. The healing that Christ Jesus accomplished was in proof of demonstration of the divine power and presence as sufficient for the cure of all human ills; and he commanded his followers to heal the sick as well as preach the gospel. To say that Christian Science is based upon the "assumption that believing anything to be so makes it so" betrays a still greater ignorance of the subject. Christian Science is based upon demonstrable truth, and truth must be understood to be demonstrated. Mere belief is valueless. A knowledge of the spiritual facts of being enables one to meet and master the claims of physical sense and win his freedom. Is it a crime to heal the sick? Is it a crime to burst the bonds of Satan and set the prisoner free? The minister says that when a devotee of Christian Science practices the art upon the sick and suffering, it is a crime. The testimonies of thousands who have been healed by Christian Science treatment after being given up by medical doctors, have come to us through the pages of The Christian Science Journal and the Christian Science Sentinel. Were all those who were instrumental in those healings criminals? If it is a crime to heal the sick by spiritual means, then it is a crime to preach the gospel; for the gospel, the Christianity taught by Christ Jesus, heals the sick. Christian Science reinstates primitive Christianity. It does not prophesy limitation and disaster for men, but lifts them out of their troubled condition into the consciousness of true being, where they can enjoy something of their God-given freedom and harmony, here and now.

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