While it is true that the treatment of disease by Christian Science...

W. S. Montgomery Smith—London, England.

The Onlooker

While it is true that the treatment of disease by Christian Science is radically opposed to the methods of the orthodox medical practitioner, it would be very far from the truth to assume that Christian Scientists entertain towards the members of the medical profession feelings that are in any way hostile or disrespectful. On the contrary, they regard with the kindliest sympathy the devoted efforts of those many doctors who are unselfishly striving to alleviate the mass of suffering which weighs down humanity, and who are sacrificing ease, pleasure, sometimes even life itself in the struggle. The writer, who pursued the practice of medicine for many years, before an acceptance of the truth of Christian Science compelled him to abandon it, is acquainted from personal experience with many instances of such devotion. The pity is that the results are too often so little commensurate with the desire to serve.

It would be equally incorrect to suppose that Christian Scientists have any wish to dissuade the sick, anxious for medical treatment, from employing the means which these sufferers imagine will give them the best chance of relief. Such a course would be entirely opposed to the rules of Christian Science, which teaches the doctrine of doing to others as one would be done by, and refraining from anything that infringes the rights of the individual. Christian Scientists are striving to overcome the evils that beset human existence in the manner directed by our great pattern, Jesus of Nazareth, who proclaimed himself "the way." Whereas medical practice is little else but a tinkering of effects, Christian Science concerns itself with the removal of the cause. Teaching that all physical effects are merely externalized thoughts, it devotes itself to the healing of the mind, in the knowledge that when once right thinking is established in the consciousness of the individual, discord, whether manifested as sin or disease, can find no foothold.

The doctrines of Christian Science are strictly derived from the authority of the Bible. The statement that disease and death are the result of wrong thinking is in exact accord with the teaching of St. Paul, who said, "To be carnally minded [or, as the marginal version has it, "the minding of the flesh"] is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace;" and "he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." St. James said: "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." A greater than either Paul or James declared: "If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death."

The logical deduction from these and scores of similar passages is the one drawn by Christian Science, that in proportion as thoughts that are unlike God disappear from the individual consciousness, and a state of righteousness or right thinking is established therein, in just that proportion will disease, sorrow, and all other discord be eliminated from experience, and the kingdom of God, which the apostle defines as "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost," be a present reality. It will thus be seen that the healing of sickness is very far from being, as is sometimes assumed, the sole work of Christian Science. Sickness, indeed, needs to be healed; but its healing by Christian Science treatment means much more than the mere change from physical discomfort to physical health. It means the disappearance from the patient's consciousness of so much sin, of so much ignorance of God; it means the acquisition of a greater peace, of a fuller love, of nobler aims and desires; in short, it means a step towards the realization of "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness," where "old things are passed away," and "all things are become new."

A striking contrast between the methods of the medical practitioner and the Christian Scientist is to be seen in the different attitude which each expects his patient to adopt. It is the general rule in medical practice for the doctor to do all the work, and for the patient to be little else than the passive subject of his ministrations. In Christian Science, however, while no effort is spared on the part of the practitioner, the patient is encouraged to do his utmost to understand the Principle that is healing him, and to put into practice on his own behalf such understanding as he gains. In short, it is the object of a Christian Scientist, not only to heal his patient, but to send him away fortified with such a knowledge of God and of God's laws as will enable him, when assailed by sin, sickness, or sorrow, to be his own practitioner, and to realize for himself the ever-presence of the healing Christ.

[The above article was accompanied by the following editorial note.—Editor.]

"From Medicine to 'Science'"

Mr. Montgomery Smith, who contributes the article on Christian Science in our issue of to-day, is one of the doctors who have given up the practice of medicine to work as Christian Scientists. He was educated at Winchester and Balliol, and walked the hospital at Guy's, but after several years' practice he removed his name from the Medical Register to work as a Christian Scientist.

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