Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-31

operations OF the Divine Will, yet 1t may
be fully demonstrated that there are
certain mental and physical conditions
which will, in the main, account for
the wondrous phenomena so frequently
brought.to notice.
And, l think, We may safely agree
with the conclusions of one CDR. Buck
ley) who has given many years of close
and patient study to this and kindred
subjects, when he says, in relation to
the modern system Of faith healing:
DIR. RUCKLEY'S THREE CLAIMS.
THAT the claims of Christian faith
healers to supernatural powers are dis
credited by three facts:
'First-They can exhibit no suprem-
acy over pagans, s~piritualists, mag
netizers and mind cures.
"Second-They cannot parallel the
mighty works that Christ performed
or the works of the apostles.
"Third-All that they accomplish can
be parallel without assuming any SUI
pernatural cause; and a formula can
be constructed out of the elements of
the human mind which will give as
high average results as their prayers
and anointings. And that formula, in
its lowest form, is concentrated atten-
ton"
If to this be added reverence, wheth-
er for the true and ever living God,
false gods, spirits, the operator, witch
es, magnetism, electricity, or simple I'M
named mystery, the effect is increased
greatly.
And yet further:
IF to this be added confident expect
ancy of particular results, the effect
in causing sickness or relieving it, for
life or death, may be appalling"
While, then, we see in this whole
subject the exaggeration of faith, so is
there exaggeration in the use of Or
dained means and instrumentalities. I
believe, indeed, that we are in the age
of divine healing and the forgiveness
of sins just as fully aSwere our breth-
ren of the first Christian age.
We confess our belief in the forgive
ness of sin. Why not, also, in the
divine healing of sickness, which is but
n of the consequences of sin in the
world? Although, I fancy, the Chris
tan Scientists will tell us that sin, also,
is but an imagination of the mind.
NOT THOUGHT OF BY MULTI
tubes.
With multitudes there is no thought
of the connection between our bodily
and spiritual infirmities.
No manifest faith in Christ as the
Forgiven of sins and the Healer of in
irmities! No desire, perchance, for
the sacraments and ordinances of the
Church! No need of her Divinely APP
pointed ministry! No need of prayer!
Nay, these are discarded, or but slight
~ esteemed, and implicit trust is placed
in the word and skill of one unto whom
we might vainly cry, physician, heal
thyself!"
But, do 1 here seem to go back on
my former words, and like the modern
Faith Healer and Christian Scien-
fist discard the doctor? Nay, God for
bid! God hath created all things, each
for it's proper use; even herbs and
various substances for the healing of
our infirmities. "Trees by the river,
the fruit thereof shall be for meat and
the leaf thereof for medicine. "-Ezek.,
47-12.
And he hath endowed man with
knowledge to understand and skill to
battle with all manner of diseases.
AS wrote one of old: Honor a ply
stefan with the honor due unto him
for the uses which ye may have Of
lhim, for the Lord hath created him.
Y " s. The Lord hath created medi-
dimes out of the earth, and he that is
Wise will not abhor them. = & q
With such doth He heal (man) and
taketh away their pains. & = - Of
such doth the %apothecary make a IN
fectfon. 4 = - My son, in thy sick
ness\be not negligent, but pray unto the
L0rdN and He will make thee whole.
Leava off from sin, and order thine
ha1AdsN Alright, and cleanse thy heart
from all wickedness. : =" Then
give \pbce to the physician, for the
Lord hath created him; let him not go
from tAet, for thou hath need "a him"
-Eccl,, 3f:1-12.
DOCT0RS OF DIVINE SANCTION.
The physician and his medicines are
of Divine\ sanction, and, therefore, we
would simply impress the fact hat all
remedial aAencies should be used with
helpful praAer that God would bless
them to our Aomfort and relief.
For certain\it is there can be no re-
lief-no cure|So raising of the palsied
body, save by Snd through the power
and will of Almighty God!
God works Though human instru-
mentalitieS. and No true Christian ply