THE thoughtful student of Christian Science will readily admit that one of the most important things in its teaching and practice is the distinction which it makes between science and superstition, under whatever guise the latter may present itself. It is true that some people unthinkingly assume that, because Christian Science heals the sick without the use of material means, it must therefore be some form of superstition; yet these same people would probably admit that Jesus healed the sick in this way. Their position in this respect shows, however, that they hold a superstitious concept of the Master's healing work and place it outside the realm of law; for, as soon as we admit that Jesus worked in accordance with law, we are forced to admit that the same law can be demonstrated by any one who has the needed understanding. This fact is dimly perceived by a good many who fail to see that in knowing God, Christ Jesus must have known His laws, and because of their failure to recognize this fact, they first doubt the Gospel records of healing, then deny them, thinking that thus they are getting rid of superstition, when in reality they are making a tremendous concession to it.
Right here it is of much interest to note Webster's definitions of this word superstition, namely: "Originally, a standing still over or by a thing; hence, amazement, wonder, dread; an excessive reverence for, or fear of, that which is unknown or mysterious." For nearly two thousand years mankind were thus "standing still," contemplating with superstitious reverence the work of the world's great healer, but not taking a step toward its explanation as proof of the existence of a divine law which is of universal application; and this, too, in the face of St. Paul's declaration, "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." In Science and Health (p. 99) we read: "Human philosophy, ethics, and superstition afford no demonstrable divine Principle by which mortals can escape from sin;" and again (p. 83), "Between Christian Science and all forms of superstition a great gulf is fixed, as impassable as that between Dives and Lazarus."
In their study of the Scriptures, as well as of the phenomena of human existence, students of Christian Science look for the operation of law; and what is more, they find it everywhere. It is quite possible that in the dim light of early spiritual experience, some of the ancient prophets may not have understood the laws under which they were operating, but even this does not alter the fact of the law. In the account of the raising of the Shunammite woman's child there are distinct evidences of a remarkable spiritual understanding, as well as some traces of superstition, these due doubtless to the belief of the transcribers; but they cannot obscure the light of Truth to the one who understands the "demonstrable divine Principle" of the healing.
