I was greatly interested in reading in your esteemed paper...

John L. Rendall

Dubuque (Ia.) Times-Journal

I was greatly interested in reading in your esteemed paper the views on mental healing which were set forth in a report from the British committee, including medical practitioners, physicians, neurologists, alienists, etc., "appointed to consider questions connected with healing by spiritual means."

The conclusions as stated are, (1) "That the essential factor in all forms of psychic healing is mental suggestion, which has been used from remote periods, although more fully explained by modern psychology." (2) "That there is abundant evidence of the efficacy of mental suggestion in the treatment of many disorders. No evidence has been forthcoming of any authenticated cure of organic disease."

Inasmuch as one member of this committee states: "I do not draw any marked distinction between the claims of such healing alleged by Christian Scientists, by Church of England healers, by faith-healers, by Mohammedans, or by members of other religions," and because there is a positive and marked distinction, in that Christian Science healing is utterly unlike the teaching mentioned, I will ask space in which briefly to comment on the above statements from the Christian Science view-point.

The ordinary individual can readily understand the position taken by medical practitioners, neurologists, etc., and the opinion set forth by them that Christian Science healing is akin to mental suggestion is due to misapprehension and is perhaps the only opinion they could give in keeping with the bias of their previous education. It is a little difficult, however, to reconcile this sort of opinion with the professions of Christian faith and of belief in the Scriptures entertained by most of the clergy. The Bible very clearly sets forth certain instances of healing through the direct power of God, and Jesus' practical example and his instructions to his disciples were fundamental to Christianity and certainly warrant all Christian people in their faith in God as the healer of the sick.

I desire to state unequivocally that the essential factor in Christian Science Mind-healing is the same manifestation of divine power which Jesus understood and demonstrated. This alone was the basis of the healing by the ancient prophets, and by the apostles and early Christians for three hundred years after Jesus' time. Mental suggestion as defined by modern psychologists does not enter into Christian Science healing in any particular. The so-called mortal mind has of itself no power to heal and never had. The only healing efficacy recognized by Christian Science emanates from divine Mind, and depends not upon suggestion, but upon the understanding of the omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience of divine Mind, which is infinitely good. This precludes the possibility of any power, intelligence, or action contrary or opposite to its beneficent influence. Christian Science Mind-healing is, therefore, the direct opposite to mental suggestion, hypnotism, mesmerism, etc., in that it does not dispossess the patient of his mind or seek to influence his supposed human mind by the alleged superior power in another human mind, but it places the patient in conscious possession of that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus."

The statement "that no evidence has been forthcoming of any authenticated cure of organic disease" simply indicates the fact that the abundant evidence which Christian Science has presented along this particular line has been ignored, or at least has not been given the consideration to which it is fully entitled. The Christian Science Sentinel, a weekly publication, and The Christian Science Journal, a monthly publication, issued by The Christian Science Publishing Society, of Boston, contain in each number several pages of testimonials of healing which are absolutely authentic and can readily be verified by any one who cares to take the time and trouble to do so. Among these testimonies are to be found cases where so-called organic diseases of every name and nature have been healed in Christian Science. It must be remembered that Christian Scientists are not ordinarily recognized as diagnosticians. The cases which come to them have, however, in the main, been diagnosed by reputable physicians, and it is upon the assumption that the diagnosis of these physicians is a reasonably correct one that Christian Scientists base their claim that Christian Science treatment has been efficacious in the healing of organic diseases,—and why should this not be so? The Bible states very clearly: "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions;" and it is said of Jesus: "He healed all manner of diseases among the people;" and Jesus' injunction to all Christians was: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel;" "Heal the sick."

The fact of Christian healing is established in the mouths of many witnesses. Thousands of intelligent citizens of this and other countries willingly and gratefully testify to the healing, redemptive influence in this Christian teaching, which not only has healed them of physical troubles, but has lifted them out of the depths of despair and given them new-born hope and confidence in God, and the assurance and peace which inevitably accompanies a clearer understanding of the laws of God. The attempt to attribute all these good effects to a lesser power than that of divine Mind simply indicates the fact that these critics have not yet risen in thought to the possibilities contained in a more complete understanding of God and man's relation to Him. Christian Science in its practical teachings is unfolding more and more of what God's laws include by way of harmony and perfection for mankind. This is one of the reasons why its adherents recognize its teachings to be the greatest boon that has been bestowed upon humanity since the advent of Jesus the Christ, and all this constitutes good and sufficient reason for the hope that is within them.

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