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Cures and Cures

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Feb 6, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 6.

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Cures and Cures

By Editor

Cures and Cures.— One of the strong evidences that Christian Scientists present for the divine credentials of Christian Science is that it cures disease; but regarding this we wish kindly, but firmly, to protest. The mere healing of disease is no evidence of divinity or Christianity. In the first place, there are a great many—the vast majority—of diseases that are mental. There are many mental maladies which have no real basis in organic physical ailments, and this class of diseases are helped by anything that will turn the mind of the individual away from self and symptoms, and give them hope in something which will cure them of an imaginary malady. The effect of mind upon the body is wonderful, without question, even over organic disease. We would not doubt that there has been healing of organic disease by Christian Science practitioners. This has been true with healers in modern Spiritualism. It has been true of hypnotic healers, magnetic healers, faith healers of various sorts and kinds who did not believe in the great truths of Christianity. The faith has centered in some human being, or in some IT. Because of this, it has had a beneficial physical effect, tho sometimes it has enslaved the soul. It is likewise true of very many of the quack nostrums and patent medicines by which millions upon millions are gulled every year. No one can believe that all these testimonials are manufactured, or insincere. Then why should we take the healing of disease, or of supposed malady of any kind, as an evidence that any particular system, or teaching, is divine? There is something that is beyond this, and that is the transformation of character, the harmony of character with God's Word, the full and complete acceptance of Christ Jesus the Lord as the Saviour of men from sin to righteousness. The real test of truth is God's Word, and the real test of truth in the individual heart is a heart that is in perfect harmony with that Word. This can not be emphasized too strongly.