PHYSICIAN OR PRIEST ?
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—In your issue of February 15th Mr. Godwin states : " The Church must define its province as physician and limit it to the realm of functional disorders. . . ." " The Church may prove herself the useful ally of medical science," but she should not " trespass on the sphere of science " unless the challenge to repeat such a miracle as the raising of Jairus's daughter is accepted.
The fact that St. Luke, the physician, became one of Christ's disciples would seem to indicate that there should be no obstacle in the way of medical men adopting the purely spiritual method of healing. In fact, nzateria medica must eventually give place_ to the higher method, for the latter alone can cast out fear—the cause of disease.
No limit can be set to divine power for its principle is absolute. Its application by human beings is necessarily- limited, however, just as electricity is hindered by non- conductive material. Faith is the healing current and fear is the insulator. Perfect love (understanding) casteth out fear.
Maieria tnedica, based largely upon guess-wOrk, may indeed become the ally of that which is destined to supersede it but not nice versa! It is the Spirit that quickeneth—not psychiatry ! The wise and prudent are apt to overlook this simple yet profound truth, but no power can prevent the restoration to the head of the corner of the stone which the builders rejected. Order is heaven's first law, and disorder (of any kind) is the work of the devil, which Christ came to destroy. " I am come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly " (John x, 10). " He that believeth on Me, the works which I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do " (John xiv, 12).—Yours truly; 11 St. Andrew's Road, N.W. 11. FRANCIS J. WHITE.
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