The reputation of a well-known...

John M. Dean with contributions from Samuel Chadwick

John M. Dean, Committee on Publication for Tennessee
Memphis Press-Scimitar

The reputation of a well-known clergyman as an erudite thinker, as well as many observations in his earlier articles of the series which ran in your paper, had inspired the hope, if not the expectation, that he, as a minister of the gospel, would refrain from casting aspersions on purely gospel methods of healing. However, his recent article calls for a reply.

1. Many of the learned doctor's observations would appear to put him in large degree on the Christian Science platform. He not only admits, but asserts, that a very large percentage of human ills is attributable to wrong thinking, and that in Bible times healing through purely spiritual means was accomplished both "in the New Testament [and] out of it." If this statement is true—and it is —on what ground does any Christian dare to question the possibility of such works today? Surely God has not changed.

2. It must be admitted that Christ Jesus did his wonderful works in defiance of material laws and without the help of drugs or manipulations. He said (Mark 16:17), "These signs shall follow them that believe," and then proceeded to enumerate the "signs" in language which none can misunderstand. The promise was to "them that believe," not for that day only, but for all time. Why then should modern Christians advocate co-operation with drugs or any other material method?

3. As for the...reference to the "claim that the material is not real," one has only to ask himself how, if man is created in the image and likeness of God, Spirit (see Genesis 1), he can in his real nature be otherwise than spiritual. Could or would Spirit create its opposite, matter? Could or would good create evil? The answer must be forever, No.

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 144), Mary Baker Eddy puts her finger on the cause of many criticisms of her discovery when she says: "Because divine Science wars with so-called physical science, even as Truth wars with error, the old schools still oppose it. Ignorance, pride, or prejudice closes the door to whatever is not stereotyped."

I have worked at the Bible, prayed over the Bible, lived by the Bible for more than sixty years, and I tell you there is no book like the Bible. 'It is a miracle of literature, a perennial spring of wisdom, a wonder book of surprises, a revelation of mystery, an infallible guide of conduct, and an unspeakable source of comfort....It is the Word of God in the inspired speech of humanity. Read it for yourself. Read it through. Study it according to its own directions....Believe its message. Follow its precepts. No man is uneducated who knows the Bible, and no one is wise who is ignorant of its teaching.

Samuel Chadwick

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