In your paper of recent date there appears an account of a...

Arthur J. Chapman, Committee on Publication for Louisiana,—Shreveport

Times

In your paper of recent date there appears an account of a sermon delivered by an evangelist in your city on "Healing" which would indicate that the speaker is not very familiar with the teachings of Christian Science. He could not possibly have learned of the subject from information received from genuine Christian Scientists, or from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, whose book, together with the Bible, is the only authority.

In the first place, there is no similarity or connection whatsoever between healing by suggestion and healing by Christian Science. In the case of the former, the human or mortal mind is relied upon for healing, whereas Christian Science depends solely on the divine Mind, or God. The Bible declares that the mortal or carnal mind is "enmity against God;" therefore, from the standpoint of Christian Science, it is most unwise to rely upon it in any way for healing.

Secondly, Christian Scientists do not heal "by a touch that God gave them," and nowhere in any of Mrs. Eddy's writings is there authority for such a statement; on the other hand, she plainly states (Science and Health, p. 453), "A Christian Scientist never recommends material hygiene, never manipulates."

Thirdly, Christian Scientists do not claim that God "has imparted to them the gift of healing" any more than to others. Jesus instructed his followers to preach the gospel to every creature and to heal the sick, and the reason there is not more spiritual healing to-day is doubtless due to the belief that the commands of Jesus were intended for his day only, and for his immediate followers, but there is no authority whatsoever in the Scriptures for such belief. Christian Science is in complete harmony with the Bible on the subject of healing, and holds that spiritual healing is the result of a correct understanding of God and His creation. The Christian Science textbook puts it more clearly in the following words (Science and Health, p. 1): "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love."

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