That there is phenomena in the world beyond the understanding of most people few will deny ; and that there are people who appear to have uncanny powers, most will admit. The Scriptures do not deny the existence of such people, and the Israelites were warned to have no dealings with them.
Nevertheless the claims of the healer have to be faced. To ignore proffered evidence is to face a charge of bigotry, and the Truth is not served.
In Frontiers of Healing an investigation is made into the history and claims of those whose healing services to humanity are outside the scope of the qualified medical profession: bonesetters, osteopaths, orthopaedists, homopathists and a variety of others. From the unorthodox methods of healing, the record passes to Christian Science, the miracles at Lourdes, radiesthesia, dowsing and kindred methods.
Sincerely, this is a fascinating record ; easy to read, written in language for all to understand. Apart from the skilful handling of the medically unorthodox, our own peculiar interest is held as we consider matters akin to religion.
Geoffrey Murray is a London journalist of good standing. If pressed, he might say he was “Church of England”, but he would not put himself in the category of a religious man, and writes without bias.
There was no denying the radiant attitude of the Christian Scientists. In attending their services Murray was bored ; but he admits the congregation obviously was not. Listening to a blend of the biblical with a predominance of Science and Health, he felt the object of adoration was Mary Baker Eddy.
“Her pen was as fluent as it was undisciplined . . . Her style is atrocious, her philology that of Humpty Dumpty, who told Alice that when he used a word it meant what he chose it to mean.”
With the medical profession, Christian Science is in a state of implacable enmity. The professed cures are remarkable in their reading. Murray saw none at first hand.
To ourselves the matter is not one of scepticism, for there comes the time when we ask what can we make of these things? Are they true? If so, is there something we have missed?
Our curiosity intensifies when we turn to Lourdes. It may cause surprise to learn that everything is open to investigation ; that no obstructions are placed in the way of the most stringent inquiry. Murray went to the Centenary celebrations at Lourdes in 1958. Again, he learned some astonishing things, but saw nothing miraculous. He was deeply impressed by the evidence of devotion and prayer at every hand. He tells the story of the origin of Lourdes, but offers no explanation of the visions the peasant girl, Bernadette Soubrious, is reported to have.
The attitude of the Roman Catholic Church should be noted. There are no sweeping claims for cures : only those which pass a rigid test, as laid down by Pope Benedict XV a century before Bernadette, are considered to be miracles. Since 1858 it is claimed that there have been 5-6,000 extra-ordinary cures and 54 miracles. Not very extensive claims surely when over a century many thousands of pilgrims have visited the shrine each year.
Again, some of the results are staggering.
“For my part”, the author writes, “I cannot doubt that extra-ordinary cures, whether rated miraculous or not, do take place at Lourdes.”
The story is enthralling, but again the question arises, are the cures true ?
Mark records, in chapter 9, the incident of the disciples’ horror when one, not of their number, was casting out devils in Christ’s name. The Master did not share their perturbation, “Forbid him not . . .” It may be helpful to link this incident with the account in Matthew 7, “Many will say to me in that day Lord, Lord have we not . . . in thy name . . . cast out devils and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you . .” Plainly the man had faith in God. Jesus left it at that. “He that is not against us is on our part”. The greater truth that is expressed therein should content. It will not be advantageous in the day of reckoning to claim the performance of wonderful works.
It is I believe, wiser to leave the matter there, recognise the phenomena, and not to be afraid to accept the “cures”. Always remember that none of these people is able to cure as did Jesus and his Apostles ; none can say, “Take up thy bed and walk.” The great necessity emphasised by Jesus is “he that doeth the will of my Father”, and that will is belief, followed by baptism as preliminary to the Christian walk.
There is not a dull page in this book. It is a mixture of the natural and spiritual, and both entertaining and instructive.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay