The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1901-01-01
MEDICINE CAN'T DESTROY
Why Not Let Medicine or Nature Des.
troy Sin? Asks Christian Science.
A SCIENTIST REPLIES TO DR.. MARSHALL
Advocates That if All Men Believed and Prac-
tised Christian Science, Diseases and
Death Would Perish From
the Earth,

The following letter, which we publish
by request of Miss Harrison, of Newbern,
is somewhat delayed, but did not reach
US until last week:
Boston. Mass. Nov 6, 1900.
To the EdiIor:-ln your issue Of the
second you report sermon on the sub
ject of Christian Science and Faith Cures,
by Rev. DR.. Marshall. He begins by Civ
ing some quotations from Mrs. Eddy's
book which are very good indeed and
that much of the sermon | heartily en-
dorse. He adds: Mrs. Eddys book,
Science and HEALTH is not a very reada-
BILE book, nor one easily understood" No
science can be understood without earn
est study and application. Even our Mas
ter said Strive to enter in at the
strait gate for many, l say unto you,
will seek to enter in, and shall not be
able" This statement implies that it
is not easy to understand and live the
truth; and yet ease and harmony always
follow such practice. An apprentice Of
ten chooses a hard way of doing a thing
which is easily done by a master. Jesus
said: Take my yoke upon you and learn
of me; for am meek and lowly in heart:
and We shall find rest unto your souls, for
my yoke is easy and my burden is light"
The Master had served his apprentice
ship we'll, and was able to accomplish
with perfect ease that which his disciples
failed to do, and concerning which they
said why could not we cast him out ?''
Multitudes of those who are comparing
spiritual things with spiritual" have
found Science and HEALTH the Chris
tian Science textbook, easy of compre-
hension. Are the people of this denom-
nation better educated than DR.. Mar
snail, and so more equal TO the under
standing of this volume? This l do not
assert, but would rather attribute the
difference between those who so easily
take hold OF the science of Christ-and
one who evidences his rnisapprehension
openly, to the fact that some Christians
are more ready to accept the premise Of
Christian Science-that God is spirit love
life, truth, and for this reason are better
capable of cOmprehendng conclusions
drawn from these definitions of God. It
might be wise for our clergymen to re-
fraln from the effort to express an opin-
ion as to the teachings of Christian
Science until they too have used the
ideas taught in this school with healing
results. Only the practical mathemati-
elan can properly teach mathematics.
Only the practical Christian Scientist can
intelligert'v teach this science The eff
! fort to apostrophize about any science or
| any subject concerning which knowledge
| is not gained from actual experience, is
likely to prove a failure
In answer TO the question how it is pos
| sible for system like this to grow as
| it has done into one Of the moss rema rka-
| bic movements of modern times DR. Mar
| snail says: by practlcing a system of
mental healing whereby it is claimed
| that many who have tried other curative
| agencies in vain have under this sys-
| tenn been restored to health" So far,
| this answer is correct, but is not com
| plete. While it is true that people have
| been healed of physical troubles through
| Christian Science after having exhausted
| their faith in other remedies, it is also
| true that thew have been healed spritu-
| ally as we'll Sinners have been regener-
| ated; drunkards have been reformed
| sorrow. disappointment, and dissatisfac-
| ton have been replaced with Joy. happ-
| ness and satisfaction, through the con-
| scious ever-presence Of God, as Christian
| Scientists are taught to realize. | speak
| from personal experience on this point
| Previous to nay study of Christian
| Science | had become very unhappy-ful]
| of doubts and fears. and sceptical even
| Of the truths of the Bible. In fact | was
| dissatisfied with things in general; but
| through Christian Science I have learned
| TO anchor my hope beyond the veil OF
| matter. in God. whom ! recognize as the
! only power and the only influence and
| this has dissolved my doubts and fears
| to a very great extent.
| My respect is profound for the orthodox
church n which | was reared, and | YET
| love that church: but base indeed would
be my ingratitude if l failed to recognize
| what God has given me through Christian
Science, by the faithful untiring efforts
of it's noble founder, Rev. Mary Baker G
| Eddy.
DR.. Marshall asserts: For the better
understanding of the question. i will a
| the same time discuss kindred phenome
ma" II he had said. we will discuss kin
dred phenomena by contrast in order t
better understand Christian Science We
might give our approval; for the mani
! Hesitation OF health as produced by Chris
tian Science has no kindred phenomena
There is no system Of healing the sicl
which is in any degree akin to Christian
Science
1t is amusing to the Christian Scientis
to note the effort that is being made b,
| some DeCDlet to establish the claim tina
| the cause OF cures in Christian Scienc
is the same as that which seems to cur
| under other names. Who knows wha
heals III Christian Science except the stu
dent himself. who exercises certain idea
10 AFFECT curing results? 1t requires
great deal of egotism to say to a Chris
'lan Scientist, You do not heal by divin
power as you claim, but through hypnoti
| suggestions.
Or. Marshall states: THE results S
slihllar must proceed from a common
cause, and the sequence between caus
ana effect is so unalterably fixed by ma
ture that when We see series of effect
. agreeing IN essential particulars W
know that they must proceed from
common cause. Interested parties ma