WHATEVER may be said pro or con with reference to the practice of materia medica, it is certain that an understanding of Spirit as the only cause, points to an absolutely spiritual practice as the only fulfilment of divine law. Whether or not in our ignorance we begin with a partial reliance upon materiality, the Science of Christianity points to a full reliance upon God, Spirit, as the only substance, and a final demonstration of this fact in the life of the individual is the acme of Christianity.
Certain Bible students have advocated the belief that Scriptural teaching warrants the practice of medicine. They speak of Paul's reference to Luke as "the beloved physician," and assume that if Paul as a Christian had not approved of Luke's profession, he would not have used the adjective "beloved" in connection with his title of physician. The mere fact that Paul spoke of the physician as beloved, indicates, as they aver, his kindly regard for the profession and amounts to a "hearty commendation" of it.
To us this appears to be a much strained point. St. Paul's method of address seems rather to have given evidence of his extreme courtesy toward a profession which he himself had outgrown, his broad, charitable attitude. The consistent practice of Christian Science is in accord with Paul's method, and is in keeping with the Master's saying, "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." It is not the mission of Christian Science to criticize or bring into condemnation those institutions of the world which fall short of the exalted demands of absolute Christianity, or to condemn those who support such institutions. Its mission is quietly and inoffensively to prove its usefulness and worthiness by its good works, and thus win its adoption into the lives of men.
