Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-16
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS.
The characteristics of Their system of
Medical Practice Explained.


The characteristics of Their system of
Medical Practice Explained.
The new movement, known as that of
the 'sChristian Scientists says the Bos-
ton Advertiser, has, on account Of certain
superficial resemblances on particular
points, been COMPOUNDED by many with
mesmerism and spiritual mediumship. A
correspondent representing the Christian
Scientists has sent for publication state
ment in explanation and vindication of
their practice. 1t is somewhat too ex-
tended for the present crowded state OF
our columns, but what appear to be its
main propositions will doubtless prove
of general interest. Our CORES pond
ent says: Christian science. properly So
called, embraces all questions relating to
the perfection of the health and morals Of
mankind. The Christian Scientists are
thoroughly organized body, having a
chartered church and college where the
religious and remedial bearings of
Christian science are Systematically
taught. The broad distinction between
this system and those of spiritualism
mediumship and animal magnetism. as
practiced by the late Doctors Quimby
and MunrOe, Professors Carpenter. Cad
well and others, is in this, that Christian
science essentially metaphysical and
spiritual, while these other methods are
wholly physical and material IN char
acter. The discoYerer and founder of the
system and practice of Christian science
is Mrs. Mary b. G. Eddy. The success
and popularity which have attended her
labOrs have led to the forming of hostile
divisions or factions, the promoters of
which, resting upon q physical or
mesmerIc basis, have claimed that they
work out the same results that accompany
the administration of truth through the
spiritual understanding of the divine law.
by which alone the Christian scientists
heal the sick. The Master prophesied
''There shall arise false Christs and false
prophets and they shall show great signs
and wonders, insomuch that if it were
possible, they would deceive the very
elect" These methods of the physical or
mesmeric character only cover up the
patients disease, by impressing him with
the belief that his physical complaint is
cured, while the sin remains. This is not
the method which Jesus taught and de-
mOnstrated, for that is characterized by
the language, $50, and sin no MORE"
The removal of the. underlying moral
cause of disease constitutes the subtle
difference between the method of Chris
tian science, and the various methods
regarded as authority in the mes
meric method affirms in a textbook call
ed "Mental Medicine that in the prac-
tice of mental healing, 1t is essential that
an adequate knowledge of the anatomy
and physiology of man, especially of the
nervous system, he had. The difference
of the position of the Christian scientists
is notable, as is indicated by this extract
from their textbook: ANATOMY has
MI 1offr Cd Tod NV q .a1
spirit. 1t explains man as created mate
rally instead of spiritually; it explains
him through the lowest instead Of the
highest conception of being. 1t defines
man as matter and mind, as originating
from, and dependent upon, matter for
every function" The call for physiology
is the result of a greater faith in matter
than in spirit The fundamental princi-
pie of Christian science is that there is
no life, substance or intelligence in mat
ter. Spirit is immortal truth; mat
ter is mortal error. Spirit is God,
and man is his image and likeness; hence
man is spiritual and not material. Mes
merists, with no claim to morals or spirit
uality as the basis of their methods,
control their subjects and they follow
their personal direction. Such methods
are material and sensual-precisely the
opposite of Christian science. The
FOUNDER OF ChflsUlan science says: line
power of mind should only be exercised
by the higher faculties. The will should
be curbed by the sentiments, or it will
holds the reins, misguide the judgment,
and let loose the propensities. VIII power
is capable of all evil, and can never heal
the sick, for it is the prayer Of the I'M
righteous. But the exercise of the higher
sentiments-hope, joy and love-is the
prayer of the righteous; and their action,
governed by science instead of sense, is
the prayer that heals the sick"