CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20098, 29 November 1930, Page 19

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

■<J THE BDITOR 07 THB PRESS ■Sir,--J n rny letter T did not challenge the accuracy of tlie Kcv. Tremayne Curnow's quotations from "Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures." The source of Mrs Eddy's authority for stating thai each of tho Disciples except .lohn came to a violent doath is not indicated, but undoubtedly she had such authority, for it was not in accord with her practice to make unfounded statements.

While cures have undoubtedly taken place both before and since the time of Christ Josu.s, the Christian (Science Church, so far as I am aware, is tho only one that follows the Master in insisting that spiritual healing is an absolute essential in the practice of Christianity. It is also true that individuals throughout history have had some ability to cure sickness, but Mrs Eddy is the only onp who has gained such an understanding of the science of spiritual healing that sho has been able, not only to practise this healing, but also to impart an understanding of this science to others so that they, too, can heal the sick and tho sinning. Further than this, she has formulated tho rules of spiritual healing in her textbook so that all -who will may understand and apply them. I do not think that this claim has ever been made, or could be made on behalf of the shrine at Lourdes, or the Com} system. Jn Christian Science churches there is no personal preaching, but healings do result from tho reading of the Lesson-Sermons, which consist of Scriptural selections and correlative passages from tho Christian Science textbook.

The chapter entitled "Fruitage"' in "Science and Health"' does not constitute a "list of cures" but, as its introductory paragraphs indicate, it reprints a few of the thousands of letters received "in testimony of the healing efficacy of Christian Science," and it was included "for the assurance and encouragement of the reader." ("Science and Health," p. COO.) The theory that the sun moved round the earth, though once universally accepted, was later proved by scientific discovery to be incorrect, and the fact that Mrs Eddy's interpretation of Scripture differs from what was generally accepted is no indication that her interpretation is not tho correct one. On tho other hand, is not the failuro of the generally accepted theories to manifest the Christ power to heal evidence that they have lacked a vital part of the Master's teaching? To-day physical scientists are declaring that matter is unsubstantial, and it is interesting to note that Mrs Eddy stated this fact over fifty years ago in opposition to the "science" of that day, so that up to this point the statements she made, and for which she was ridiculed, are now acknowledged to bo true. Christ .Tesus gave a now and more spiritual interpretation of the law, but the Pharisees' refusal to accept his interpretation did not afEcct its truth, nor could their inability to perceive his interpretation be made the basis of an accusation that God had concealed the meaning of the law from them; and I am sure they would have been very indignant had it been suggested that they had been, and were still, in darkness. Mr Curnow's last quotation illustrates the method of attempting to throw ridicule upon an author by omitting matter which is essential to a correct understanding of the passage under consideration. On page 153 of "Science and Health" Mrs Eddy had been relating her experience in homceopathy and had referred to the potency of the highest attention of homceopathy, hence her reference to tho administering of "a high attenuation of truth." I do not propose to be drawn into a discussion of materia medica, but will conclude with further words of Mrs Eddy's which, in "Science and Health," follow quotations from a number of leading doctors of medicine: "It is just to say that generally the cultured class of medical practitioners arc grand men and women." (p. 164.) —Yours, etc., OUTIIBERT S. BOOTH. Christian Science Committee on Publication. November 28th, 1930.

TO rHH EDITOB 01 THB PEE3S Sir, —As all aspects of a learned discussion are generously ventilated in your columns, it struck me, with reference to Mrs Eddy's attitude towards pain, or the impossibility thereof, that one side of the question was well set forth in the following poem: — There was a Faith-healer of Deal Who said, "Altho' pain isn't real, When I Bit on a pin, and it punctures my skin, I dislike what I fanoy I feel.*' —Yours, etc., b.JB.C. November 28th, 1030.