The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-05-09
A BIG HUMBUG !
Rev. L. L. HansCom Scores Mrs,
Dr.. Norton's Christian
Science Talk.
Done to Help Her Own Finances
Is the Supine End of
All Humbugs.

Mrs. DR.. Norton, of Minneapolis,
alleged Christian scientist, occupied
the boards at the Presbyterian church
on the evenings of April 2Sth and
29th. Her subject was "Christian
Science" in which she claims to be
firm believer. Rev. L. L. Hanscom
occupied the boards at the Methodist
church last Sunday evening. His
subject was "Miracles,' in juxtaposi-
tion with the subject handled by the
female doctor on the Sunday evening
previous. It was intended as an
answer to the alleged scientist. 1t
practically branded DR.. Norton, as
we'll as all of like profession, fraud,
humbug, following the business
merely for the money there is in it.
DR.. Hanscom first spoke on the de-
sign of miracles as mentioned in the
Bible. He said
"They were performed not so much
for the relief of suffering humanity as
for the purpose of giving evidence to
the doctrine which was taught. These
persons who run about pretending to
heal all manner of diseases have quite
another object in view. Possibly they
may be deluded with the idea that
they are relieving suffering humanity,
but more probably to help out their
own financial interests, the supreme
end of all humbugs.
II am not prepared to believe that
we have yet stumbled on an age when
all the struggles with the ills of this
life are to be annihilated by an un-
known charm. These bodily ailments
may Sometimes be sent as blessing
from Divine Providence, but they are
no doubt more frequently the result
of violated law.
"If 1 had violated natural law and
was suffering with sickness I would
pray and at the same time take my
medicine and cease to violate the laws
of Nature and at once abide by them.
If I had the typhoid fever do you
think it would be prudent for me, at
the command of someone, to believe 1
was we'll, and arise from my couch
and eat heartily? 1 might find out
that not only would faith without
works be dead but 1 would be dead
also.
"The power to work miracles was
not given for the purpose of relieving
human ailments or filling empty tills,
but to testify to the truth to prove
that the mission was divinely appoint
ed."
Rev. Hanscom spoke of Christ being
given power to work miracles, among
them to raise the dead, in order to
convince people that His mission was
divine. The speaker then caustically
remarked
Il notice those who pretend to be
His successors to-day do not raise the
dead, but, it is said, do heal the sick.
Why not at some time do the other,
that we may also believe 2"
The speaker contended that the day
of miracles had passed, and said that
because Christ had once proven His
divine character He need not forever
continue doing SO. If He continued
the miracles they would cease to be
miracles, but would be everyday oc-
currences.
He did not believe in faith-healing
as generally practiced and pronounced
all faith-healers known to-day who
profess to have a hold upon the Al
mighty, so that they can command
His power in the healing of the sick,
as being out of harmony with the
word of God, are either honestly mis-
led or purposely playing upon the
credulity of the people for personal
emolument. He believed that God
could heal the sick in answer to
prayer, but advised sufferers to not
only pray but to take their medicine,
for the God of nature and grace never
blesses the person who refuses to use
the means He himself has ordained.
Mr.. Hanscom spoke of people hav-
ing overcome bodily ailments by being
inspired with hope. The inspiration
was not science, however, 'much
less Christian science, npon which a
few have a patent, and you must &c