A clergyman in his farewell sermon is reported as declaring...

Ezra W. Palmer

Pueblo (Col.) Chieftain

A clergyman in his farewell sermon is reported as declaring that "that which is neither Christian nor scientific ought not to be encouraged, even though it be called Christian Science." Christian Scientists will fully agree with the first part of the reverend gentleman's declaration, but the unproved assumption that this defines Christian Science will meet with objection, because the statement is not true. The flippant charge that Christian Science is neither Christian nor scientific is not original with this minister. It is a glib catch-phrase which thoroughly begs the question, and may mislead the uninformed only so long as the premises on which it rests are not examined. When they are, the nothingness of its assumptions is exposed.

Christian Science is Christian because it teaches the theology and practises the works of Christ Jesus, the Founder of Christianity; it is scientific because it is strictly logical, unfolding all its premises and conclusions from the fundamental basis of allness,—the omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience of God. Christian Science is true to the definition of Science given in the dictionary: "knowledge classified and made available in work, life, or the search for truth." Christian Science classifies and makes available the truths of the Bible, so that the earnest seeker for truth can find spiritual strength, surcease from sorrow, freedom form sin, healing of disease, and a priceless sense of the ever-protecting care of divine Love. It will therefore be seen at once that the assumption of the reverend critic has no foundation in fact.

This brother used as the text for his sermon this passage from the third epistle of John: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Christian Scientists fully accept the desire expressed in this verse; they are in full accord with the thought of the beloved disciple that health prospers "even as thy soul prospereth." The spiritual insight of the beloved disciple clearly discerned that health of body is an inseparable concomitant of a spiritually inspired mind. Christian Science teaches that health—and the Greek word translated health in this passage also means wholesomeness, soundness—is a quality of mind given to man of God, and is not dependent on climate, drugs, electricity, hypnotism, or other material remedies.

Christ Jesus, his apostles, and the prophets furnish indisputable evidence that health is restored and that sickness, disease, and death are destroyed through the understanding of the divine nature of God. Thanks to Christian Science, this understanding, which renders spiritual healing available, is in this age within the grasp of all who seek to know the truth. In Science and Health (p. 380) Mrs. Eddy says, "Many years ago the author made a spiritual discovery, the scientific evidence of which has accumulated to prove that the divine Mind produces in man health, harmony, and immortality."

The speaker declared that "Jesus Christ was interested in the body as well as the soul," and with this we heartily concur. Jesus healed all manner of disease, cast out devils, and raised the dead; in fact the greater part of his ministry was taken up with the healing of those who were sick and diseased. But he laid no stress on climate as a factor in the healing process, as did this reverend gentleman. Jesus knew that the might of Spirit was sufficient to heal the sick, and he never used drugs or recommended climate. He declared: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Who can deny, in view of the works and words of Jesus, that these things that "shall be added unto you" include health of body as well as health of mind?

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