The Pastors Son | Page 8

The Rev. Mr. Johnson said that they wished to
find a way to successfully combat this new heretical idea called
Christian Science, and they want to arrange so that each clergyman will
give a sermon denouncing it, each on a different Sunday, and Rev.
Johnson asked me if I was willing to deliver a sermon on it, and I told
him yes."
"Why father," said Walter, "I did not know that you had ever read or
looked into Christian Science."
"No son, I never did look it up or study it, and what is more I never
intend to. The Bible is good enough for me."
"But, father, how can you preach a sermon on it if you do not know
what it is?"
"I did not say that I did not know what it is. I have heard enough to

know that it is not Christian and that they claim to heal in the same way
that Jesus Christ did. This claim alone proves that it is false, for Jesus
Christ was the Son of God, and that is why He could heal the sick, and
for any man to consider himself equal to Jesus Christ is blasphemous."
"Father did not Jesus bid His disciples heal the sick?"
"Yes, certainly, He gave His disciples the power to heal the sick, but
His disciples have been dead for a long time, and nobody else was
given the power to heal as Christ did," said the pastor. "Was St. Paul
one of Christ's disciples?"
"No Walter, he was not in reality one of Christ's disciples, but he was a
very good and holy man."
"Did not St. Paul heal the sick?"
"Yes, there are several accounts in the Bible of St. Paul's healing
power."
"Well father, where did St. Paul get his power to heal the sick if he was
not one of the disciples that Jesus gave the power of healing to?"
"Why you see it was like this--that is--I mean to say--" the pastor
stopped rather confused, then finished with, "It is too long a story to tell
to-night, as I must be getting ready for that meeting. I will explain this
all when we start our lessons."
The pastor left the room and entered the library, thinking deeply. "I
wonder where that boy gets those queer ideas from. I am very much
pleased that I suggested those Bible lessons, for if he was not
enlightened, he would surely go astray."
Shortly after, the pastor was wending his way to the meeting, still
thinking of what Walter had said regarding St. Paul. Walter made an
excuse to retire to his room and was soon reading in his precious
"Science and Health;" and it was precious to him, for in it he saw the
only hope he had ever had of getting well. He read far into the night,

and every spare moment of the next few days, so that when Wednesday
evening came he had finished the book. But Wednesday evening was
prayer meeting, so there would be no Bible lessons until Thursday
evening.
He spent almost all day Thursday reading Genesis in the Bible and
comparing it with the scientific interpretation as found in "Science and
Health," by Mary Baker G. Eddy, under the subject of Genesis,
beginning on page 501.
About six o'clock his mother called him for supper, and as he laid down
his books he said, "It must be true; I feel that it is the truth. I will have
father start with Genesis to-night and will ask such questions as will be
most apt to get father to see the Bible in its true light. How I wish I had
found this book long ago, then I would be better prepared to convince
father. Still I know that God is good and will help me, and with Him to
help me I cannot fail."
CHAPTER V
THE FIRST LESSON
It was just 7:30 p.m. when the pastor, his wife, and Walter entered the
library to have their first Bible lesson.
"Well, Walter," said the father pleasantly, "have you decided where we
shall commence our studies?"
"Yes, father, I should like to start at the beginning, with Genesis."
The pastor looked at his son and noticed that his face was flushed with
excitement. Still he made no comment about it, but answered, "very
well Walter, if agreeable to mother, we will start with Genesis."
"Yes, James, I am satisfied to start anywhere that pleases Walter."
"As we are all in accord, I will start with chapter 1 of Genesis, and
continue reading until we come to something that you do not

understand. Then you may stop me and I will explain. I think this will
be an excellent way, don't you, Walter?"
"Yes, father, I think that will