Christian Science: The Bible Teaching Concerning the Power of God to Heal the Sick

To the Editor of the People and Patriot:—

In a recent issue of your paper it is stated that “Mrs. Eddy and Judge Ewing say that if believers in Christian Science drink any deadly thing it will not harm them,” and it is further declared that Mrs. Eddy says “she tried it by taking some large doses of morphine and found that the drug had no effect on her.” It is then proposed that Christian Scientists test their healing religion by publicly taking large doses of poison.

Regarding the statement concerning Mrs. Eddy, her exact words will furnish a complete explanation. They are to be found on page 248 of her last well-known work, “Miscellaneous Writings,” and are as follows:—

“Many years ago my regular physician prescribed morphine, which I took, when he could do no more for me. Afterwards, the glorious revelations of Christian Science saved me from that necessity and made me well, since which time I have not taken drugs, with the following exception: When the mental malpractice of poisoning people was first undertaken by a mesmerist, to test that malpractice I experimented by taking some large doses of morphine, to see if Christian Science could not obviate its effect; and I say with tearful thanks, ‘The drug had no effect upon me whatever.’ The hour has struck, ‘If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them.'”

Because of the Christian Scientist’s faith that “God is a very present help in time of need,” the newspaper writer would have him put it to a public test. This reminds one of a very similar proposal made to the founder of Christianity. He taught the Bible doctrine about God that “He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up.” According to the record in the fourth chapter of Matthew this teaching of Jesus was doubted by some and the proposal of a critic for “a severe test” is thus recorded: “Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down.” Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Or as the Greek original reads: “Thou shalt not put to the test the Lord thy God.” His Master is a sufficient example to the Christian Scientist. The power of God is not to be used for a spectacle. God is man’s helper, but at the demand of the incredulous He does not lend himself for experimental purposes.

It has without doubt already occurred to the careful reader that the implied charge in the article that Christian Scientists cannot protect themselves from the effects of poison is in reality an imputation against Christianity itself. Christ Jesus distinctly said that his followers should have power over poison. As recorded in the tenth chapter and nineteenth verse of St. Luke’s gospel he said to his followers: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Christian Scientists believe that the Saviour meant every word that he said. It will not do to say that the great physician meant those words only for his twelve disciples. He meant that this healing power should belong to all followers, in all time, as is shown by his farewell words to his friends as given in the last chapter of St. Mark. Said he: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Those who are familiar with Bible history will remember that Jesus herein was proposing nothing new or novel in religion. The Bible has many accounts of healing without any other means than the power of God. The Psalmist spoke of the Creator as one “Who healeth all thy diseases.”

Of the Master it was said, “He healed all manner of diseases.” All the sick who came to him were cured through his prayers to Almighty God. And he plainly said of every true disciple, “The works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” When he ordained his disciples to the ministry he plainly said, Go preach and heal. There are many who believe that the first of these commands is binding. There are others who believe that both commands are binding. If it is right to obey Christ by preaching, is it not also right to obey Christ by healing? If he is a worthy disciple who obeys one-half the command of the Master, is not he also worthy who obeys the whole of the command?

As far back as the time Moses, thirty-five hundred years ago, God was known as the healer of the people, for we read, “And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which, when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, and said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”

If to the obedient Israelite fifteen hundred years before Christ, God could say, “I am the Lord that healeth thee;” why to the obedient Christian nineteen hundred years after Christ may He not also say, “I am the Lord that healeth thee”? If the power of God was the cure of disease fifteen hundred years before Christ Jesus lived and taught, why may not this power of God deliver people to-day?

The religion of healing which was preached by the founder of Christianity was early practised by his church. Said James, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, … and the prayer of faith shall save the sick.”

It was the blessed privilege of those disciples who had walked and talked with Jesus to obey the whole of his command in preaching the gospel and healing the sick.

But not only did those who were near Jesus fulfil his expectations in healing disease, but those also who never saw him, were likewise obedient. Paul, who never looked upon the gentle face of the loving Master, healed the sick and raised the dying. Read the interesting account of his healing work on the island of Melita, as given in the twenty-eighth chapter of Acts.

Is it not clearly evident, then, that he who denies the power of God to heal is doing more than assail Christian Science. He is in fact making an attack upon the truth of the Bible and is seeking to discredit the words and works of Jesus and of his obedient disciples.