The Rev. Dr. Charles A. Briggs, in an article published in the November Forum, entitled The Alienation of Church and People," says:
The Church has limited its conception of salvation too much to the future life. It has not comprehended the length and breadth of the salvation taught by Jesus Christ. The poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying need a salvation that relieves their physical maladies. Christians have undoubtedly in all ages, in a measure, established hospitals, infirmaries, institutions for the relief of the poor. But this has been sporadic and occasional, rather than as an integral part of the salvation preached and practised by the Church. The toiling masses in our age are no worse off than were those of other ages. But they think that they are more miserable. And they are more miserable for they have learned that they are capable of better things, and they are yearning for better things. They are anxiously looking for a Saviour who will redeem them from their misery. Jesus Christ is that Saviour. His Church should bear them the glad tidings of that salvation.
In this respect the advocates of Faith Cure and Christian Science have, if we understand them aright, grasped an important principle, and on this account are engaged in an active, zealous propaganda in which many devout men and women share. There can be no doubt that the salvation of Jesus Christ is a salvation from all sin and all misery, and that as Jesus removed bodily maladies, so His Church should aim to do the same. Prayers for the recovery of the sick and the dying should be offered in faith and holy love.
