Article February 1, 1936 Issue

In your issue of June 15, a correspondent criticizes the...

Albert J. Windle, Committee on Publication for Nottinghamshire, England,—Nottingham

Guardian

In your issue of June 15, a correspondent criticizes the use of the word "prayer" as medicine. The Christian Science prayer is one of affirmation of the truth of being; it is the recognition of the truth referred to by Jesus, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The second portion of this statement shows the demonstrable nature of prayer. This is medicine in its highest sense, and is in agreement with the substance of James 5:14-16. The medicine that Jesus used was Mind, wholly spiritual, and was equally effective in both sickness and sin. This is why St. Paul recommended all to have the same Mind that was in Christ Jesus.

Contrary to your correspondent's assertion, the Bible indorses Mrs. Eddy's statement that Mind alone is The mission of Christian Science is to inspire religion and medicine with a diviner nature and essence, and to reinstate promitive Christian healing. James is never questioned by Mrs. Eddy, and the passage quoted "The common custom of praying for the recovery of the sick finds help in blind belief, whereas help should come from the enlightened understanding," is not a criticism of those verses. In her chapter on Prayer, generally acknowledged to be one of the finest ever written on the subject, Mrs. Eddy shows what prayer is not, as well as what prayer is. This quotation shows the necessity for prayer being based on enlightened understanding rather than on a blind appeal.

In mathematics we work according to a fixed principle and rules, and Christian Science shows that true prayer must be based on a knowledge of God as the divine Principle of all that exists. The prayer that healed the sick in James' time was the prayer of understanding, faith in its highest expression. It should be evident from the quotations your correspondent gives that true prayer does not affect the sick like a drug. True prayer always heals.

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Extracts from Reports of Christian Science Committees on Publication
February 1, 1936
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