Article June 2, 1928 Issue

Without engaging in a controversy over the doctrinal...

Albert E. Lombard, Committee on Publication for Southern California,—Riverside

Daily Press

Without engaging in a controversy over the doctrinal points raised in an advertisement headed "Divine Healing," in a recent issue, may I have an opportunity to correct the misconceptions regarding Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science which were contained therein? Christian Science is not an invention but a discovery of the spiritual law underlying the teachings of Christ Jesus—a discovery that was made by Mary Baker Eddy as the result of her pure life and years of consecrated study of the Bible. The spiritual religion which she established after her discovery accepts the entire teachings of Christ Jesus and the other inspired words of the Bible, and has neither relation nor similarity to the systems mentioned with it in the mistaken advertisement. There is more to Christian Science than a bare philosophy of life or a mere system of physical healing. The main purpose of Christian Science is to destroy the sins of the world through the law of God, divine Truth and Love. The motive of Christian Science conforms exactly with that of Christ Jesus, whose appearing was primarily to demolish sinful conditions. Because God is all-powerful good, His law can and does destroy all kinds of evil. To prove this fact, the Master healed numerous cases of organic and functional disease through spiritual means alone, and attributed the healing power entirely to God. It is clear that these healings were accomplished as "signs" of the power of God, so that mankind might be brought, through better health and sounder morals, into greater unity with His all-pervading presence. However, the opponents of Christ Jesus spoke of these spiritual healings in much the same way that your advertiser speaks of the works accomplished through Christian Science; for, when the Master was casting out the "devil" of dumbness, his adversaries said, "He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils." To show that the good works were not from an evil power, Christ Jesus reasoned with the mistaken accusers: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand?" And, refering to the power of God, he added, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you."

Christ Jesus destroyed sin through the power of God, and thus proved that his healing works were not of Beelzebub; likewise, Christian Science destroys sin through the same "finger of God," and thereby demonstrates that its healing works are not "Satanic." Christ Jesus healed sickness and sin simultaneously. When he was healing a man sick with palsy, Christ Jesus said, "For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" In Christian Science healing, the power of God destroys dishonesty, untruthfulness, sensuality, hatred, unkindness, and other sins at the same time as functional and organic disease. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 404): "Healing the sick and reforming the sinner are one and the same thing in Christian Science. Both cures require the same method and are inseparable in Truth."

The name of Mary Baker Eddy is revered and respected because of her great and good deeds and her sterling character. She was faithful to God, a conscientious follower of Christ Jesus, honest and true; and her thought was so pure and Christlike that she discerned God's Holy Word, and was enabled to give to others the spiritual method employed by Christ Jesus, who said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." Those who have studied the Bible in the light of Mrs. Eddy's teachings, and who have applied their understanding to the healing of various sins and sicknesses, recognize that she was inspired by God when she discovered the Science of Christianity. To them it has been proved that Mrs. Eddy was God's messenger, and that Christian Science is a God-given religion.

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