Christian Science and Miracle Cures

W. D. McCrackan

New York Evening Post

To the Editor.

Sir:—An article in your issue of September 13, reprinted from the Boston Herald, and entitled, "Miracle Cures in Mexico," raises questions of deeper import than is commonly realized. Since the author of that article referred to Christian Science in connection with his interesting description, I beg to emphasize the radical difference between so-called miracle cures and those resulting from Christian Science practice.

The former are amply described in the instance given by the correspondent of the Boston Herald, as cures effected "by prayers or vows offered" to a picture "accompanied usually by anointing the sick person with oil taken from the great lamp always burning before the picture."

The modus operandi of the Christian Science treatment has none of the features here described. It has no "vows;" its prayers are not such as can be offered to any material object; there is no picture; and there is no manipulation or physical application, such as anointing with oil.

The Christian Science treatment consists of knowing the truth in regard to God and man, namely, that God is spirit, omnipotent and omnipresent; while man, made in His image and likeness, is spiritual and not material. This spiritual understanding of the Truth is Science, and not merely belief, hope, or expectation; and this Science frees man from discord in accordance with Jesus' promise: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Thus it is that Christian Science not only reforms the sinner, but also heals the sick.

The correspondent of the Boston Herald should know that Christian Science teaches that perfect harmony, whether mental, moral, or physical, is never miraculous, but is normal and natural to man, while evil alone in its myriad forms constitutes abnormality. Hence the definition of the term "miracle" in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy, reads (p. 591):—

"Miracle. That which is divinely natural, but must be learned humanly; a phenomenon of Science."

Moreover, there are no prescribed "formulas" in Christian Science practice, for the realization of Truth is the only requisite, whatever form this realization may take in the sequence of ideas. In all this there is nothing "mystical," since Science explains mysteries and does not perpetuate them. A further vital distinction between so-called miracle cures and those resulting from Christian Science practice lies in the fact that, while faith seems to be requisite in the former, this is not true of the latter. Faith is not essential in the sick person who desires to be healed by Christian Science, and cases are frequently occurring where the incredulous and even the scoffing are healed by Christian Science of diseases which have defied the efforts of the most painstaking medical practitioners. And since the correspondent of the Boston Herald cites a list of so-called miracle cures, let me here mention among many that come to my mind that of a gentleman of Jewish birth who was healed by Christian Science, though he had no "faith" in it at all, but was, in point of fact, strongly antagonistic to it. This gentleman had suffered for five years from chronic laryngitis. Being a man of means, he had traveled to the homes of specialists in various parts of the world, and had been repeatedly operated upon, once by one of the most noted. He was at home, a physical wreck and condemned to die within a very short time, when he consented to try Christian Science, but frame frame of mind may be judged from a "Letter to a Friend" published in the May number of The Christian Science Journal, wherein he wrote that he was "without any faith or belief in the efficacy of Christian Science, and, on the contrary, with feelings of positive anger at the urging done," he "agreed to take treatment." Relief from pain was immediate, and complete recovery followed shortly after. This happened several years ago, and I see this gentleman quite frequently, presenting all appearance of robust health.

In conclusion let me state that the "small church of Christian Scientists" in the City of Mexico, to which the correspondent of the Boston Herald alludes, is showing steady growth, according to recent accounts published in the Mexican Herald. This growth is naturally more noticeable among the English-speaking population of the City of Mexico, but I am informed that the Christian Science Society in that city already has a small Mexican class in its Sunday School.

It is evident that we are in the midst of a great extension of mental healing, and it certainly behooves progressive men and women not to be confused in regard to the fact that God is the Principle of all true healing.

W. D. McCrackan.
In the New York Evening Post.

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