Article February 1, 1930 Issue

Of those interested in your paper no body of people will...

William G. Westle, Committee on Publication for Warwickshire, England,

Birmingham Weekly Post

Of those interested in your paper no body of people will derive more genuine amusement from the satirical allusion to Christian Science in "Just Fancy!" which appeared in your last issue, than Christian Scientists themselves. They have always relished the old quip in which an aunt (a supposed Christian Scientist), reminded by a niece of the illness of someone, is made to say, "You mean he fancied he was ill," the retort of the niece being, "Oh, well, now he fancies he's dead;" and this enjoyment on their part is abundantly justified when one permits himself the opportunity of learning to the full the misconception of Christian Science which such amusing travesty is built upon.

Humor aside, however, and for the corrective information of those readers who may not as yet know what Christian Scientists really do, I am sure you will give the courtesy of your columns for the assurance that no Christian Scientist, in visiting a sick chamber or otherwise, could allude to another's temporary physical discomfiture in any such terms as are put into the mouth of the aunt in this incident. Allow me to quote what Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has written, namely: "Sickness is neither imaginary nor unreal,—that is, to the frightened, false sense of the patient. Sickness is more than fancy; it is solid conviction. It is therefore to be dealt with through right apprehension of the truth of being" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 460).

The misapprehension which "Just Fancy!" puts forth may also have caused some almost to believe that Christian Scientists possibly disregard human obligations and human relations; but this is not so, for in the chapter on Christian Science Practice, in the above-mentioned textbook, Mrs. Eddy has counseled (pp. 365, 366): "The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father's loving-kindness." The Christian work of carrying through the Master's injunction to "heal the sick" could not well be demonstrated for the benefit and uplift of sick mankind on any lesser basis.

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