The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-04-05


posed in the one who presents it and
/ the will force that accompanies it.
| The argument in itself could have no
force whatever. ! Is this method scien-
tific? Is there anything about 1t that
is definite, precise or accurate2 In
what way does it suggest Jesus meth
cd? Take again the argument, "You
will be able to speak without hesita-
ton or stammering." What is the
basis Of such an argument? II 1t is
founded upon the prospect of improve
ment, II is not based upon certainty
and at best could be nothing more than
a wish that the patient might be able
to speak without stammering. Is such
suggestion more rational than the
argument of the Christian Scientist
that stammering is no part of Gods
child, no part of Gods creation, that
the child itself is spiritual and perfect,
and there is therefore no imperfection
in hfm2 Such an argument is founded
upon the everlasting truth. 1t is adj
! vanced with positive assurance by the
practitioner and carries strong con-
viction to the patient. It corrects the
/ false sense OF mans true nature and
the Ills attending this false sense
therefore depart
Christian scierce versus Mental sus-
gestion.
/ Although we may concede to every
non-material method, by which re-
suits are sought, the propriety Of be-
ing called mental, yet we must learn
to mark the distinction between that
which is mortal-that which results
from the action of the so-called NOR
tai midland that which is spiritual
and immortal, the action Of the divine
Mind. 1t is not always easy to deter
mine, from external observation, the
difference between the effect of Chris
tian Science and that of mental sug-
| gestion, for, so far as concerns the
outward appearance, the improved con-
dition of the supposed beneficiary of
mortal mind influences is very similar
ITO that of a beneficiary of Christian
Science. The chief distinction is likely
to be seen in the mental and moral
status of the individual Jesus knew
this when He counselled that we
Judge not according to the appearance
but judge righteous Judgment" 1t is
sometimes possible to produce changes
in the physical condition of a subject
through the influence of mortal mind
because of the close relationship be-
tween thought and the bodily organ
/ ism; but we cannot be assured of the
permanency of such changes, even
though they appear to be changes for
the better because they are not based
upon fixed principle.
A mental mode of healing the sick
(which depends upon a mere change of
human thought, or belief irrespective
of It's absolute truthfulness, though
producing temporary change in ex-
ternal appearances, cannot be consid-
cred a real cure but Is on q par with
that which Is mentioned in the Scrip
lures as healing THE hurt Of the
daughter of my people slightly, saying.
peace, peace; when there is no peace"
Even as far back as the days Of Moses
and Pharaoh there were the counterfeit
as well as the genuine manifestations.
The Egyptians for O. while appeared to
duplicate the wonders performed by
Moses, but there came a time when
they could no longer follow him. Their
efforts failed, they could proceed no
farther In their attempted wonder
workings and they said of Moses pow
err, This is the finger of God" Thus
we note that experience developed a
conviction which mere phenomena
could not produce. .
| 1t has oftentirnes been argued that
bodily healing cannot be considered as
absolute evidence that Christian
Science is the truth since results can
be had by. the application Of other
mental theories. This seems plausible,
but we insist that result which Is
not based upon divine Truth is not
a genuine result, but a mere seeming.
If we are unwilling to believe this we
Will surely be convinced by the logic
of events. Error may be temporarily
substituted for error, but only truth
can destroy 1t, therefore it is wise
to learn the truth and make our re-
suits permanent. Every step taken
scientifically is really step in ad-
vance and hence a step for eternity
which needs never to be retraced. In
original investment is costs no more
to possess the true than ii does to
possess the counterfeit. One is as
available as the other. 1t therefore be-
hooves us to have the best, to adopt
that which can be permanently retain
Led, the DIETER part" which the Master
said could never be taken away. To
i believe that Christian Science heals by
the same methods which are employed
in suggestion is detrimental to ones
wen-being since it obscures the line
of distinction between the influence Of
Spirit. God and that or human will.
/ which Is more Or less misguided. and,
therefore, prone to seek the enforce
ment OF that which is not good.
Il Mental operations should have for
their motive something more exalted
than the mere purpose OF influencing
or being influenced. They should have
in consideration the character OF the
influence involved as well as the char
acter which 1t begets. Those mental
modes which are not prompted and
governed by divine intelligence. but
which are at the mercy of human
Judgment, are quite as likely to be
wrong as right. 1t is more easy to
determine tho difference between
Christian Science and mental sugges-
4 tion by considering the basis OF opera
II tons than by noting phenomena, but
In the long run the basis of results
will be Enthusiastically evident In their
virtue ana permanency
n To attempt to cure disease by NOR
tai influence, tho same influence which
fathers all disease, Is like trying to
rid ones self OF error by covering 1t
upg to use a common expression II Is
like telling enc falsehood to cover
another. Such practice could not be
considered cure,
Il The argument which measures hu-