The Pastor's Son Part 12

"No, I think not."

"Did he ever study 'Science and Health,' the text-book of this science?"

"No, he considered it a waste of time."

"Did he ever read 'Science and Health'?"

"No."

"Did he ever see the book?"

"He said not."

"Then he certainly must be a very bright man to know what Christian Science is. For a man that can know all about a science of any kind without taking instructions, without studying, without reading, without seeing the text-book of that science, is certainly a remarkably wise man."

"But, Walter, he got his information in a different way."

"How was that, father?" "His friend Dr. Thompson bought a 'Science and Health' and told him all about it."

"Was Dr. Thompson ever taught Christian Science?"

"No, I guess not."

"Did he ever study or read 'Science and Health'?"

"He intended to read it, but when he saw such ridiculous a.s.sertions in it, he considered it folly to read it," said the pastor.

"Another one of those wise men that know all about a science without instruction, study, or reading."

"What do you mean, Walter?"

"Father, if Dr. Thompson had told you that he knew all about medicine by simply glancing into a medical book, would you believe him?"

"Certainly not!"

"And if he had found therein some quotations that he did not understand, would you think it strange?" said Walter.

"No."

"And if he should tell you that those quotations which he did not understand were rubbish and nonsense, would you consider him a good authority?"

"No, how could he be," replied the pastor.

"Then, why should you believe him in regard to Christian Science, when he confesses that he never studied or read the text book of this science?"

"But everybody says there is nothing to Christian Science," said the pastor.

"So did everybody say the earth was flat until it was proven round,"

replied Walter.

"That's the point exactly; none of our learned men have been able to prove that the claims of Christian Science are true," said the pastor quickly.

"That is because they do not go to those who can furnish the proof."

"Who can prove it, Walter?"

"Many thousands of those who were healed and the pract.i.tioners in particular."

"Parson Jones said they are a lot of hair-brained women."

"Does that make them so?" asked the boy. "No, yet he ought to know what he is talking about."

"Did Parson Jones ever have a talk with one of those hair-brained women, as he calls them?"

"No, I don't think he did, but he says he has investigated this cult sufficiently to know there is nothing in it," said the pastor, rather quietly.

"I suppose, father, he gave it what you call an impartial investigation, and probably went about it in the same way you did. You went to a man for advice on a subject he had never studied and who was so prejudiced he would not take the time to prove whether it was right or wrong, yet he professed to know all about it, and advised you to let it alone.

Now, father, if you wanted advice pertaining to a foreign country, would you go to a man who had never been there, and hadn't even read about it, or would you go to some one who had lived there for many years?"

"I should certainly go to the man who had been there," said the pastor.

"Then when you want information regarding Christian Science, why don't you go to a Christian Scientist?" said his son. The pastor was silent for a moment, then said, "I see what you mean, Walter; my going to see Rev. Jones about Christian Science is like going to a blacksmith for information pertaining to surgery."

"Yes, father."

"I guess you are right, Walter. I believe I will go to see a pract.i.tioner, for if there is anything on this earth that can help your mother I will let nothing stand in the way of a trial of it."

"Oh! thank you, father, I will go now and see if this pract.i.tioner can come to see you."

"Who is this pract.i.tioner?"

"Mrs. White, who lives down on Grant St.; she promised to come any time I would ask her to."

When Walter said Mrs. White, the pastor recalled what Parson Jones said regarding these lady pract.i.tioners telling all his paris.h.i.+oners, and the possibility of his losing his position; this made him very much afraid, so he said:

"Wait a minute, Walter, let us talk this matter over a little before you go. Had you thought of the position it would place me in to have a Christian Science pract.i.tioner coming to our home every day? And most likely she would be delighted to tell all her friends that the Rev. Williams of the Park Row Church had been compelled to call her in to treat his wife."

"No, father, I do not think she would say a word about it."

"But some of my paris.h.i.+oners might see her coming here every day, and then I would be in danger of losing my position."

"Father, would you let your position stand in the way of saving mother's life?"

The pastor did not answer at once, but was thinking deeply; at length he looked up and said, "Walter, your persistence has won the day. I will at least have a talk with this pract.i.tioner; you may tell her to come this evening if she will, and I will talk with her."

"Oh, father, how happy you have made me. And I know you will change your opinion of this lady pract.i.tioner after a few minutes' talk with her, and I feel confident that through her my mother will be made well."

"I pray G.o.d it will be as you say."