A PERTINENT QUESTION by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 19, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 40.

A PERTINENT QUESTION.

By Editor

THE San Francisco Call wants to know why the "Christian scientists" don't go to work for the yellow fever sufferers. It says:—

"The yellow fever continues to rage in the South, and Northern nurses, physicians, and money are hastening to the relief of the sufferers. For a wonder, however, the 'Christian scientists,' 'magnetic healers,' and the whole noble army of 'faith-cure' fanatics have maintained silence. This is hard to understand, as here is the opportunity of a life-time for our credulous friends to demonstrate on a grand scale the efficiency of their teachings. If yellow fever is but a phantom of weak human minds, and its dread effects but the results of disordered fancy, then the victims of their own imaginations should be enlightened; and who is as well calculated to do it as the apostles of the doctrine which teaches that mind only is existent?"

The query of the Call is pertinent, and reminds us of the story of one of these so-called "Christian scientists" who while walking home with some friends after one of his lectures sprained his ankle very severely, which caused him much pain. An Irishman who had heard the lecture, coming up behind, comprehended the situation, and exclaimed, "Oh, niver mind, sir, niver mind; its all a crature of your imaginashun, sir."

We believe that, when it is to the glory of God, and for the best interest of his children, the prayer of faith will save the sick, and that God shall raise him up; but the vagaries of "Christian scientists," and "faith-cure" fanatics, savor of egotism, superstition, and blasphemy, and bring reproach upon the Christian name.