Milford chronicle., 1915-11-19
Christian Science
Frank Bell, c. 5.

Member of the Board of LectureshiI
If The Mother Church, The First
Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston
Mass.
The healing of disease is incidental
tn and not the prime object of Chris
tian Science practice. But because
tbis is not generally recognized out
aide the Christian Science ranks, and
because the healing is the phase most
nrominent in public thought with re-
sard to Christian Science, and because
tbe healings do constitute important
proof of the correctness of its teach
jngs. il is pertinent to refer briefly to
some of the evidence that Christian
Science does heal all manner of dis
ease.
The extraordinary growth of the
movement is in itself an impressive
testimonial to the efficacy Of its heal
ing. although the first Christian Sci
ence church was established less than
forty years ago, there are today more
than fifteen hundred bodies in various
parts of the world. While the largest
numerical representation is in the
United States, where Christian Sci
snce had its beginning, its churches
are to be found quite numerously in
England. Canada and Germany, and
slso in France, Ireland, Scotland, Hol
land. Wales, Italy, Norway, Sweden,
switzerland. South Africa, Australia.
New Zealand, China, the Philippines,
Argentina, Mexico, Panama, the West
indies and Bermuda. From virtually
every quarter come reports of cOntin-
uing and substantial growth, corrobo-
rative evidence of which is found in
the fact that the demand for the au-
thorized literature is increasing so
rapidly as to tax the constantly en-
larging publication facilities.
These data are cited because Of their
significance in the light of the fact
mat this movement, which in so brief
a period has become world wide, has
been recruited largely from among
those who turned to it for healing.
The proposition of Christian Science
rom its beginning has been to all men
as it is to you, namely, that nothing
need be accepted with regard to it
that cannot be demonstrated to salts
faction in the individual experience of
the student. Christian Science has no
means of attracting or holding follow
ers except its superior ability 10 meet
their human needs, and if it had failed
TO do this to any appreciable extent
the closing chapter in its history
would have been written long ago. So,
then, the rapid, widespread and stead |
ily increasing growth of the move |
ment constitutes inferential evidence |
Of a peculiarly forceful character that |
Christian Science healing is a fact.
Thousands Testify to Healing.
Then there is a mass Of evidence Of |
a direct and particular nature to be |
found in the individual testimonies OF !
healing in the official publications of |
the Christian Science church. The !
Christian Science Journal, for in
stance, has been published monthly ,
since 1888, being now in its thirty |
third year. The Christian Science Sen
tinel, issued every week, is in its .
eighteenth year. Each issue of these |
publications contains statements of /
from eight to a dozen persons who tes-
tify to having been healed through
Christian Science of ills that cover
virtually the whole range of human
suffering. If we allow a conservative /
average of ten testimonies per issue,
we arrive at the conclusion that more
than twelve thousand persons have
been so impressed with what Chris
tian Science has done for them in the
way of healing that they have volun-
tarily set out their experiences in
writing and asked that these be pub
lished over their own signatures for
the information of their fellow men.
Evidence of Christian Science heal
ing has been accepted on various oc-
casions in courts of law, being admit
tedly accurate and reliable. OF course
official records are not really requir-
ed by the average individual who
wishes to learn what Christian Sci
ence is doing for the sick, for the rea-
son that in almost every community
Of consequence the inquirer may OBJ
tain first-hand information from the
oenefciaries of this healing method.
The Wednesday evening testimony
meetings in Christian Science church
es everywhere are especially recon-
nended in that respect.
Christian Science in Business.
In the business world Christian Sci
nee has been found to be notably {
Helpful. A sound body and a clear
lead are important assets to one up
N whom devolves the direction or ex-
cution of affairs of trade and indus
ry. But Christian Science does some
ming for business itself as well as
or the business man. For one thing,
takes fear out of business, thereby '