Article August 25, 1934 Issue

It is a mistake to describe Christian Science as "mental...

Richard H. Smith, Committee on Publication for the State of Montana,—Helena

Record-Herald

It is a mistake to describe Christian Science as "mental suggestion" and "faith-healing," or to limit its healings to mental diseases caused by hysteria, or to characterize it as a cult. Yet, from a report recently appearing in your paper, this was done by a medical doctor in a public address.

Christian Science healings are not accomplished through suggestion. They are produced by the practice and application of the truth that God is the only cause. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (Pref., p. xi), "The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle."

Mental suggestion is a human method. The application of God's laws by Christian Scientists is a spiritual practice. The two methods are entirely dissimilar; for faith-healing, as it is commonly understood, is usually unintelligent trustfulness that God will heal, while in Christian Science we take the step from trustfulness to trustworthiness. Not only do we trust, but through a right application of God's laws, we know that He heals. Thus healing in Christian Science is by faith born not alone of belief, but of knowledge.

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Extracts from Reports of Christian Science Committees on Publication
August 25, 1934
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