In terms Jesus was not called a Christian Scientist

V. O. Strickler—Rochester, N. Y.

The Times,

In terms Jesus was not called a Christian Scientist. He was not even called a Christian. The term Christian was first applied to his followers at Antioch, eight years after the crucifixion. They were Christians, however, before the term was applied to them, and the name merely expressed the fact that they believed the doctrines and performed the works of Christian Jesus.

In like manner, when John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus the direct question as to whether or not he was the one who should come, or if they should look for another, Jesus did not in terms say that he was the Messiah. He merely directed them to tell John the works they had seen him perform, and left John to judge him by these works rather than by his words. This is not only the true test, but is the only test to-day to determine whether a person is a Christian. The fact that a man says he is a Christian does not make him one. Neither does the fact that he believes himself to be a Christian necessarily make him one. Jesus might have declared himself to be the Messiah, but he would not have been the Messiah if he had not fulfilled the Messianic hope and promise.

So it must be with Christian Science. It has the right to be called Christian if it follows the teachings and performs the works of Christ Jesus. Hence, if Christian Science through following his teachings, brings out the results in healing the sick that he did, then he must have been a Christian Scientist in fact, although he was not so designated in specific terms. By the same test it is proved that this Science is also Christian. The question of real interest, then, is as to whether or not Christian Science does heal the sick and regenerate the sinner. If it does, nobody wants to oppose it and everybody wants it. It will be admitted on every hand that the need for healing and regeneration is universal. That Christian Science is meeting this need is shown by its rapidly increasing numbers. There are already so many people living in our very midst who have been cured of the drink evil, of the use of opium and other drugs, and of physical and mental diseases in almost every form, that the fact of Christian Science healing is now established beyond any possibility of doubt.

Why should the Christian Church not heal the sick? Jesus did so, and it is apparent that it was his intention that the same work should be done by his followers. During the first three centuries of its existence the Christian Church possessed the power to heal the sick, and it was regularly exercised. In fact the dead were raised during the first two centuries. In healing the sick it is plain that Jesus acted in accordance with a definite law and rule, which he was able to apply without failure because of his perfect understanding. It is also clear from the Scriptures that this law, by means of which he healed the sick, was one that was capable of being communicated to others, and that he did in fact communicate it to his disciples, who in turn communicated it to those whom they brought into the Church. To say that Jesus was able to heal the sick because he was God, does not explain the exercise of the same power either by his disciples or by those who lived a long time afterwards. He said that "these signs shall follow them that believe," and among other things he mentioned that they should heal the sick. It is also stated in the Epistle of James that "the prayer of faith shall save the sick." From these statements alone, if other evidence were lacking, it would appear that both Jesus and James recognized that the power to heal was dependent alone upon the spiritual attainments of the individual, and that this power might be exercised by any one who understood how to make the "prayer of faith." ... Christian Science is the rediscovery of the Principle of healing practised by Jesus and by his followers. It once more teaches mankind how to make the "prayer of faith." It is nothing more nor less than a return to primitive Christianity. It is to-day in its infancy, and it may be that its operation is but imperfectly understood, nevertheless there are a vast number of people who have been healed through its teachings.

I am aware that in cases where Christian Science has apparently failed to heal the disease, the argument is advanced that if it were of God it would never fail, and would heal in every case. The slightest reflection, however, will show that such argument is not well founded. We read in the Bible that the disciples of Jesus were not able to heal in every case. In at least one case they brought a young man to Jesus, who healed him immediately, after they had failed to do so; and yet these same disciples subsequently raised the dead. What was it, we may ask, that occurred in the mean time to bring to them this great increase of power? It could have been but one thing, namely, their understanding of the Principle of healing, taught and practised by Jesus, had increased. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," thus showing that man's freedom from whatever enslaves him must come through his knowledge of the truth, which knowledge may be obtained by every person who is willing to conform his life to the teachings of Christ Jesus. So we may be encouraged. Even if the Principle of healing revealed in Christian Science be not yet perfectly understood, we can rejoice with the thousands of those who have already been helped by it, and abide in the assurance that as our knowledge of the truth increases we shall be better able to do the works of the Master.

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