CURING BY FAITH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18875, 30 May 1923, Page 10

CURING BY FAITH.

TO THE XDITOE. Sib, —In last Friday's issuo you published, under the above heading', an interview with Dr Fielding-Ould, in, which he classifies Christian Science along with faith-healing, "Coueism," psycho-analysis, and similar movements. It is not my purpose to disagree with Dr Fielding-Ould in all his remarks except to correct the impression that suggestion; or the use of the human mind is the method employed in Christian Science. Thfc subject of Christian Science figures very prominently just now, but the views that reach these shores are generally those of its opponents. With your permission, I would like to say something about . it—what it is and- does. Christian Science does not depart from the truths of the Bible, but depends wholly on them. It proves logically and finally (hat the Bible contains the recipe for all healing, whether of sin or sickness or any other discord, and that the only way is through Christ, the Way, the Xnith, and the Life. The first commandment, "Thou shall have no other gods before Me," is the basis of this. Science, and it demands that the Ten Commandments and the teachings from the Sermon on the Mount must be lived and put into everyday practice. It relies on {he"true understanding of God. It does not ask God to do more than He lias already, done; ■it does not outline or seek material health or wealth or ease in the-flesh. It proves the absolute necessity of seeking "first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." It teaches that the works of Jesus were done in accordance with divine law, and that, therefore, the same works can be done again in the same way', for real law never varies in operation.' God is defined in "Science and Health, w'ith Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy, as • "incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite ' Mind, Spirit, Soul, : Principle, Life, Truth, Love." This infinite God, divine love, eternal life, incorporeal Spirit or Mind, is tho first and only. Creator. Since there is but one cause, which is infinite and good, there can be but one kind of effect or manifestation which must be good or infinite. As the effect or mani : ' testation of a Creator that is infinite Spirit or Mind, we can have as creation nothing less than the sum total of spiritual ideas that express their divine origin. Therefore, we learn that the only real . enduring, indestructible universe is spiritual and exists as the result or effect of i the one infinite good cause. On this basis,' Christian Science healing is performed. In fact, Christian Science heals the belief in superstition, ignorance, and mental suggestion, and lifts thought up to a perfect God and perfect man—His imago and likeness. Christian Science does not ignore the errors of the human mind, but deals with them en a right apprehension of true being. The mortal or material man is not the reality of man, but the reverse. Thus man must, be put off and tho new man put on, as the Bible avers. This is done as one rejects the false and accepts the true. Knowing, therefore, that God's man cannot be unlike Him, a Christian Scientist is enabled to separate the true thoughts emanating from God from the false beliefs arising from the human mind, and in proportion as the mind that was in Christ Jesus is put on. is enabled both for himself and others to rise above the false' evidence of the senses and hold in consciousness tho Perfect view of man as made -by God. "When speaking of God's children, not the children of men, Jesus said, 'The Kingdom of God is within you.' That is Truth and Love reign in the real man, showing that man in God's image is. unfallen and eternal. Jesus beheld in science the perfect man, who appeared to Him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness and this correct view of man healed the. sick. Thus Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is intact, universal, and that man is pure and holy." (Science Health, pages 476-7.) Jesus said. "Ye shall know the truth and tho truth will set you free." It is only by coming under the government of Divine Love, of being in accord with His laws, that one can recognise the ever-presence of Christ, "the same yesterday, to-day, and forever," and experience harmony and true health. Christian Science has healed all manner of diseiso and sin, through its application of Truth, but what most of its students aro grateful for is the moral and spiritual uplift. It is not surprising that this regeneration results in improved conditions.— I am. etc. James A. Allen. Dunedin, May 26.