A Protest from the Pew

Physicians who have been inveighing against spiritual healing because of its faith element, and who have declared that this renders its claim to be scientific "wholly ridiculous," have been vigorously called to order by the editor of a leading news journal who ventures to remind them that this faith element enters very largely into all "orthodox doctoring." He says:—

"That medicine is often given rather for its effect upon the mind of the patient or those concerned about him, than for its effect upon the body, will probably pass without much of any question; and it is still true, as it always has been, that a robust physique in the physician, or a cheerful, hearty confidence, or faith-inspiring manner in the sick-room, are often of more importance than drugs and medicines, in so far as their effects upon the body are concerned. Here, then, we have a large element of faith-cure, as it were, entering into regular medical practice."

Such a recognition of the undoubtedly increasing use of a faith-factor by medical practitioners,—the steady encroachment of the mental prescription upon the whilom domain of the material,—is both pertinent and prophetic. The change in this respect among physicians generally during the last twenty-five years has been very great, and it is a very natural result of the marked lapse of public faith in the remedial power of drugs, and the greater familiarity of the people with the undeniable healings achieved through Christian Science. There is a great multitude of those who are now strong and well, and actively engaged in business or professional life, who were once sufferers from maladies which are pronounced incurable by physicians. Their testimony is being voiced in all lands, and its convincing force is constantly leading even the most prejudiced doubters to the point where it requires decidedly more credulity to deny the facts than to accept the proposition which they substantiate; namely, that the Christ-truth is still able to heal the sick, even as Christian believers generally declare that it did in the first century.

It is often claimed by the exponents of material therapeutics that great progress has been made of late years in the control of disease, and if this be true, and if it also be true that during this time the faith factor in medical treatment has been coming into more general use (with a corresponding decrease of reliance upon drug medications), would it not be a fair and logical conclusion that this explains the asserted progress in the mastery of bodily afflictions, and would not the medical profession be authorized thereby to make ready concession that the spiritual healing of Christian Science is effective. The conviction of Christian Scientists is altogether reasonable, because it is based on practical experience which is entirely satisfactory to them.

Christian Scientists recognize a very marked and fundamental difference between that spiritual apprehension—the understanding of revealed Truth which distinguishes the Christ healing from all other so-called mental means of cure, and conceding to all others entire freedom of choice, they adhere to the method of healing which Jesus used and commended, not only because they would thus honor him and fulfil his command, but because it has been demonstrated to their entire satisfaction that they and their children are most surely preserved thereby from the encroachments of disease. In committing their dearest interests to the protection of Truth, they are therefore impelled, as all must see, not only by their religious sense, but also by that "common-sense" which is accredited with looking first of all to the human interest. W.

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Some Christmas Lessons

December 26, 1903

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