Editorial November 27, 1948 Issue

"THE SHOUT OF A KING IS AMONG THEM"

John Randall Dunn

A thought-provoking title for one of the Lesson-Sermons appearing twice yearly in the Christian Science Quarterly is "Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced." If any inquirer is in doubt as to the teachings of Christian Science on the question of the mesmeric action of the carnal mind, here is his answer. Mesmerism and hypnotism are denounced. Healing in Christian Science is, therefore, not even remotely connected with mental suggestion or any phase of hypnosis.

Hypnos, in Greek mythology, was the god of sleep, and our English words "hypnotism" and "hypnosis" convey the thought of putting to sleep, or inducing a mental state resembling normal sleep. But the mission of Christian Science is to awaken thought, and not to lull into mesmeric slumber. In fact, the prophet Isaiah sets forth the challenging message of this new-old truth in these ringing words: "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion.... Shake thyself from the dust;... loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion" (Isa. 52:1, 2).

It is strange that so many of the medical fraternity persist in linking Christian Science healing with mental suggestion, or a form of hypnotism. Statements such as the following are not uncommon. Some doctor says, "I use Christian Science quite a little in my practice, for mental suggestion can reach many cases." Such a declaration betrays a complete ignorance of this Christianly scientific system of healing. In the first place, the Scientist does not suggest health to his patient; he knows and affirms the spiritual truth of being which Christ Jesus declared would make free. His treatment, therefore, is prayer in its highest sense; and what thinking person could liken mental suggestion, or hypnotism, to prayer?

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