Article January 9, 1937 Issue

Your issue of March 25 last contained a news item from...

Ernest L. Buchanan, Committee on Publication for the Province of Manitoba, Canada,—Winnipeg

Free Press Prairie Farmer

Your issue of March 25 last contained a news item from Cape Province, South Africa, concerning a man (alleged to have been a Christian Scientist), who had passed on from the effect of the venom of a deadly snake to which he had intentionally exposed himself.

For the information of your readers, permit me to point out that if, as stated, the person concerned believed "that snake venom would cure him of tuberculosis," it should be quite obvious that he could not have been employing and depending upon the Christian Science method of healing, namely, spiritual means. Christian Scientists effectively utilize their understanding of spiritual truth or law for protection and for healing when the need arises. It can be rightly concluded, therefore, that the designation "Christian Scientist" has been incorrectly used in the case under consideration.

It should be understood that Christian Science definitely differentiates between blind belief and enlightened faith; that is, faith born of spiritual understanding. This is clearly shown in the following excerpts from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (pp. 487, 488): "Mere belief is blindness without Principle from which to explain the reason of its hope;" and, "The Apostle James said, 'Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.' The understanding that Life is God, Spirit, lengthens our days by strengthening our trust in the deathless reality of Life, its almightiness and immortality. This faith relies upon an understood Principle. This Principle makes whole the diseased, and brings out the enduring and harmonious phases of things."

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