"How long halt ye between two opinions?"

ANNIE M. KNOTT

AT a recent religious gathering in the English metropolis, the Bishop of London gave his views on the subject of Christian Science at some length, and is reported to have said, among other things, that "by invigorating the faith, the hope, and the courage, they had great effect upon the bodily condition of the patient in many cases," and he added that in this sense he was "in agreement with Christian Science." He also said that church workers "ought to approach sick persons with far more faith; they ought to pray for their recovery, and those who were priests ought to lay hands upon them with far more expectancy that they would recover." In conclusion the Bishop advised "those who thought they had special gifts of healing never to try to exercise those gifts apart from the medical profession."

It is very certain that our brethren across the sea are much impressed by the teaching of Christian Science relative to the healing of sickness, and that they are now aware of the fact that no professed follower of Christ Jesus can consistently ignore the demand for this healing. There is undoubtedly a great awakening of interest on this vital question to which Mrs. Eddy called the world's attention forty years ago. The pity is that any should doubt the divine source of this power which is reforming sinners while healing their diseases, thus enabling them to bring forth the fruits of Spirit.

The Bishop's remarks, while evidently intended to be complimentary to the medical profession, indirectly admit its inability to inspire patients with "faith, hope, and courage," much less to heal them without the prayers of the clergy and church workers. It is quite likely, too, that the doctors would resent any such invasion of their special domain, for they would naturally hold that if drugs have an inherent power (and this must be believed in order to justify their use) prayers could not add to their effectiveness, especially when the admission was made that prayers without drugs were not to be trusted.

Although an attempt was made on this occasion to discuss Christian Science, it does not appear that its fundamental teaching was even touched upon. The fact that spiritual law is at every point opposed to the asserted laws of materiality, of sin and disease, was evidently not taken into account. It is in its acceptance of the supremacy of spiritual law that Christian Science parts with all material theories and wins its great victories. It stands by St. Paul's triumphant declaration that "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus" sets "free from the law of sin and death." What is more, it proves at the same time that this "law of sin and death" has no divine authority. Even when sentence has been passed upon a poor sufferer, it says with reverent assurance, in the words of the Master, "Fear not: believe only."

A testimony from England, that of Mrs. Alice Heathcote, in this issue of the Sentinel, shows that in spite of prejudice and misunderstanding Christian Science is surely proving its divine origin, and there are many the world over who are ready to echo the sentiments of this grateful mother, when she says. "I knew what had healed my son, and I resolved to go forward and give this glorious truth to others." As we read of many such experiences in Christian Science, we may well ponder the Master's words, "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof,"—words spoken in the temple when the chief priests called him to account for the healing which he was doing in that holy place. As we think upon his solemn warning and prophecy, we turn to the equally solemn words of our revered Leader, on page 571 of Science and Health,—"He enthrones pure and undefiled religion, and lifts on high only those who have washed their robes white in obedience and suffering."

ANNIE M. KNOTT.

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December 16, 1905

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