Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-02-16
A LECTURE ON CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
Its Healing Ministry by Bliss Knapp S B. Member Of the
Christian Science Board Of Lsciureshp Of The First
Church Of Christ Scientist, Boston, Mass

c"ihSc, on NcSleiltu street, last tues
day, was well attended The lecturer
Bliss Knapp, c. S B member of the
Board of Lectureship of the First
Church-of Christ. Scientist, Boston
Mass, was introduced by c. L. Warren
with a few appropriate remarks betit.
ting the occasion
The PILoT gives a synopsis of the lee
tare as follows
If Christian Science were simply an
I intellectual pastime, touching only the
emotions and sentiments of men. il
could never emulate the mercy of prim-
tive Christian healing. On the con.
trary, it appeals to their highest moral
and spiritual nature, and leads them to
lind IN God IA sure reward for trusting
ln Him. 1t is a prophet of good tidings,
promising deliverauce from pain, suf.
| fering and disease; and by the accom-
| plishment Of this deliverance, its truth
has been established. 1t has challenged
attention, not because of any failure,
! but because of Its success in good
works Indeed its most Hhcompromis-
| ing critics are now ready to admit that
| Christian Science has made good its
claim To a healing religion.
Possibly the larger part of song and
, OF verse has been inspired by the trag-
edy OF life. The mystery of suffering
has compelled even the most frivolous
to seek the meaning of life; and it is
the theology of Christian Science that
not only clears this mystery, but re-
moves the suffering. If the healing
seems to be of more consequence than
the religion in its appeal TO the stranger
il is because he has not looked beyond
the cure TO its spiritual canse, for it is
the theology OF Christian Science that
heals the sick and reforms the sinner.
In looking over the entire range of re-
liglons beliefs, whether handed down by
tradition or recorded in the sacred
books, il is interesting to note that they
all claim to be the PRONUNCIATION of re-
vealed truth; but whatever may be the
nature or quality of such truth, that
which dliferentiates the demoDstrable
revelation of Jesus Christ from them all
is its power TO give health and life, for
Il am come" said Jesus, that they
might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly.n Moreover,
that truth which heals and reforms,
manfests the only religion that is sus-
ceptible of proof; for ths Masters heal
ing, resurrection and final ascension
demonstrated this life. e.giviDg element
in Christianity
The works of healing that Jesus ac-
complisLed have been preached for cen
turies; but for one to relate the simple
story of how he went TO the mother of
Peters wife and healed her of fever
does not set forth in any adequate mar.
ner the explanation of how il was done,
Suppose one does repeat the simpl,
words of Jesus and initiate his manner
Of addressing disease, the mere form
can never reveal the exquisite power
which he employed, nor does it give the
process so that another might repeal
the operation. At least we might infer
this from the fact that these works have
not been more commonly done for
many centuries. Now that which has
made Christian Science eminently prac-
tical is its ability to set forth not only
what the power is which Christ Jesus
employed, but what the rule is by which
another may repeat those works; and
this withal in 50 simple manner that
even child can understand and enjoy
its projections indeed its understanding
is panacea for everybody and at all
times, whether the difficulty be sick
body or sick mind, for He that be-
lieveth on me" !" said Jesus, 1.-THE works
hat do shall he do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because
go unto my Father"
FOOTSTEPS IN SPIRITUAL DISCOVERY.
When Jesus healed the centurion's
servant and the Syrophenician's daugh-
ter without so much as going near them,
it should be clear that the power en-
ployed must be mental, as mental in
Il 81 4 hpic ttlF, N
hsh poet has propounded the query,
For TO say truly, what else is man but
his mind?" Indeed we might ask.
What else is God but divine Mind?
1t is truly unthinkable to conceive of an
all-wise, all-intelligent God apart from
Mind Moreover, how can an ever
God be everywhere present, eX-
cept that presence is Mini2 The words
of Paul that ITO be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded Is
life aud peace express the fact that
the healing power is in the divine or
spiritual Mind, not in mater.
How it is that the mind of ,iod should
become available for our needs may
seem as Impossible of attainment as TO
determine the character of the distant
stars. But as Gods messengers have
come down to us from former genera
tions pointing the way, it may be inter
esting TO contemplate the manner by
which these early prophets came to I'M
derStand for themselves this healing
power of God, that we may emulate
their good works
The first of the old patriarchs, al
though reared in the school of idolatry,
was touched by divine Impulse and
began 10 contemplate diviner sense of
On hsAr ha IN rpf
instead OF many powers manifested in
SO many different idols, there is really
one Mind or intelligence whose power
governs the universe and man, the
same power in fact which later divided
the waters of the Red Sea and closed
the lions mouths. Abraham unswerv
ing devotion to this guiding and saving
power inspired an absSsale faith in its
omnipotence. He c,ssied this power the
Almighty, and from that time God has
been known as the Almighty. Although
Abraham discovered this saving power,
and had absolute faith in its promises,
his concept of il must have been limit
ed; for the voice of God said unto
Moses, n appeared unto Abraham, un-
10 Isaac and unto .Iaeob, by the name
of God Almighty but by my hame
Jehovah was | known 10 them" indi-
eating that there was more TO learn
about the application OF this Mind To
human needs.
Moses was taught from his youth 10
b. sieve in God, but when he began TO
comprehend what he once believed he
discovered at the outset the same power
that inspired the faith of Abraham.
Moses was great observer, and he be-
gan To observe that this power is not
confined to isolated places like so many
nuggets which might be discovered st
random. nor is il restricted TO esiy
places or occasions. for he discoy.> ed
the great fact that this divine power
operates through well uetned laws,
emsnating from the one Principle or
Mind, and as ever. present law, this
power has healing and saving effect
Indeed this power as manifested
/ through law brought the actuA proofs
Of deliverance from the plaques from
the Red Sea and the terrors Of the
a