Faith has been defined as an affectionate, practical confidence in the Word of God. Christian Science can accept this definition, provided the confidence referred to is sufficiently enlightened to rely directly upon God as the sole healing power; but if it turns away from Spirit in the hour of need by resorting to material remedies and methods under the misleading assumption that "God blesses the means," Christian Science will classify this faith as blind belief, devoid of practicality. If his prayers have remained unanswered, and the individual is still a slave to disease and medicines, his faith cannot be termed enlightened or adequate. Had it reached the standard prescribed by the Master, he would not need to consult a Christian Scientist for help, for the Scriptures teach that faith makes the sick whole.
Those who think they have faith, but are not generous enough to admit the possible efficacy of another's prayers, are often slow to receive their healing, and they will marvel that infidels and skeptics are sometimes soonest converted in Christian Science. Tennyson throws light upon this point when he says,—
There lives more faith in honest doubt,
Believe me, than in half the creeds.
