In classifying Christian Science among "Isms, Wise and...

A. E. Brandt—Johnstown, Pa.

The Tribune

In classifying Christian Science among "Isms, Wise and Otherwise," in a paper read before a ministerial association, as reported in The Tribune, a clergyman has fallen into some errors regarding Christian Science which need correction.

In the first place, Christian Science is not an ism, nor is it a "faith healing cult" in the sense of the term used, but a science. It would be hard to conceive how demonstrable knowledge of any kind could be termed a faith, or explained on a basis of faith merely. The moment that Christian Science is considered from the standpoint of a faith of some kind or in some thing, apart from an understanding which places it in the category of an exact science, it is misapprehended.

Christian Science is the perception and understanding of spiritual truth,—an understanding which is far above mere faith or belief in the ordinary sense. Spiritual truth is invariably exact, and needs to be apprehended. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth," and according to Jeremiah, "They shall all know me, ... saith the Lord." Christian Science is no more and no less than such knowing. It may be preceded by faith, but it must be understood in order to be properly applied.

This shows that the healing wrought through Christian Science cannot be explained on the basis suggested by the reverend critic, who attributes such healing to the mere rest and meditation of an intemperate or overtaxed neurasthenic person, or dyspeptic, while reading a book, the reader crediting it to the operation of some occult cause expounded therein. Christian Science heals on no such basis.

While a blind faith may temporarily relieve an illness, it does not destroy the cause of the illness, which has its origin in belief,—belief in the reality and power of evil. Christian Science does not heal by means of physical rest and material or mental change, but by a more intelligent activity, a spiritual activity, which mankind needs for its salvation. A demonstrable understanding of such activity is gained by the study of Christian Science, and is found to be efficacious not only in healing so-called nervous and functional diseases, but organic as well. Mrs. Eddy and many of her followers, contrary to the imputation of the critic, have healed the latter as readily as the former.

Christian Science has freed many thousands from their religious delusions, and given them an understanding by which such delusions are revealed so nakedly as to give painful evidence of shortcomings to the most saintly and devout. This understanding gives them a desire to improve their opportunities to conform to a more spiritual life, having plenty to do in this direction without attempting to explain some other religion not understood by them.

The reverend gentleman's conjectural conclusions as to the status of Christian Science if it had not claimed to be divine or Christian are contrary to all religious history, and at variance with the experience of Mrs. Eddy and her followers. The principal opposition to Christian Science arose from its claim to be a religion and to heal the sick on a Christian basis. The gentleman is even now opposing it on that ground and corroborating the statement. How could it be otherwise, since clergymen have for centuries taught the people that Christian healing is a lost art?

In the midst of unprecedented popularity, and because of such popularity and its dangerous tendencies in a direction contrary to spirituality, Mrs. Eddy unselfishly closed her metaphysical college at which healing was taught, in order to establish her discovery on its true basis as the Christianity which Christ Jesus taught and practised, and to restore to a needy world primitive Christian healing. In the face of all opposition, that of churches included, she has succeeded.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit