Christian Scientists do not give much power to faith...

W. C. Williams

Baltimore (Md.) American"

Christian Scientists do not give much power to faith without works. It is in good works and in endeavoring to work toward and live up to their highest ideals of the truth, that they come nearer to God and the understanding of His law, and it is the demonstration of this understanding that heals the sick. Faith in a power apart from God is not reason, and the mental and bodily condition of the majority of mankind today proves it. Christian Science is an absolute statement of the true man and his relationship to God, and Christian Scientists are growing toward the realization of these statements and daily proving their growth; but they do not claim that they have entirely discarded "the old man" and put on the new, or approximated the full manifestation of the power of Truth. Our friend is right, accident has no more place in God's law than has disease.

"Realist" states that "the great commission of the Master was: 'Go, teach all nations to observe whatsoever I have commanded you.' The church had better stick to that—the intellect, the heart, the conscience, the will—and leave to the medical fraternity the healing of the body." Now this seems to be the trouble with our critic as well as with "all nations;" they have not "observed." Jesus did not compromise with a power apart from God, but demonstrated God's all-power in healing the sick in body and mind, and one of the commandments that he requested to be observed by those who believed on him was to preach the gospel, to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons.

We do not suppose other denominations have statistics of the death rate of their members any more than have Christian Scientists, and such comparisons would be, at best, of little value. As the majority of Christian Scientists are those who turned to it when all else had failed, that alone would seem to answer the question, but the Broadway Magazine, to satisfy itself and its readers, investigated a large number of cases of healing through Christian Science some time ago, and perhaps the following quotations from its editor will more fully answer the question of "Realist" :—

"These records [on file in office of Christian Science committee on publication, Metropolitan Building, New York city] give specific and complete details of thirteen thousand eight hundred and seventy-six cases treated by Christian Science in the state of New York. Of this number eleven thousand two hundred and forty-four patients acknowledge definitely that they were either completely cured or permanently benefited by Christian Science. Four thousand eight hundred and ninety-five of these patients were either given up by physicians or had despaired of receiving relief from medical treatment. The two thousand six hundred and thirty-two remaining cases were still under treatment, incomplete reports being made for statistical purposes. Of the total number fifty-eight died.

"The records cover practically every well-known human disease or ailment. Many of the cures date back over twenty years; the great majority go back more than five years. No testimony is given so closely following a cure that there could be any doubt of too hasty judgment on the part of the patient.

"The authenticity and validity of these records are above question."

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