Article February 27, 1937 Issue

In your issue of March 24, you relate an incident about a...

Edgar Gale Harris, Committee on Publication for the South Island, New Zealand,—Dunedin

Otago Daily Times

In your issue of March 24, you relate an incident about a young man, said to be a Christian Scientist, who encouraged a snake to bite him several times, in order to heal him of tuberculosis. Will you please grant me space to make the following reply?

It is evident to anyone who has studied Christian Science that the person mentioned was not a Christian Scientist. Had he been so, he would not have turned to any material remedy for a cure. Again, if a student of Christian Science who had a demonstrable understanding of its teachings were bitten by a poisonous snake, he would immediately apply his understanding of Christian Science to nullify the effect of the venom.

This should not seem surprising, when we remember that Paul was able to prove the powerlessness of the viper's bite, by applying the spiritual understanding he had gained after he had the vision of the Christ. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, answer the question as to how Paul was able to shake off the viper unharmed, and without suffering what are generally accepted to be the consequences. She writes (p. 514), "Understanding the control which Love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions' den, and Paul proved the viper to be harmless." It is still the prerogative of students today to learn of the control which Love holds over all, and to prove harmless many of the commonly accepted beliefs which are binding men today.

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