Page:The kernel and the husk (Abbott, 1886).djvu/218

For example the first of the "characteristic sayings" is, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Now these words were spoken to the paralytic man; and, as we have seen above, the cure of paralysis by appeal to the emotions—although a remarkable act, and although, if permanent, so remarkable as to deserve to be called "a mighty work"—cannot be called a miracle. But I need say no more of this, as I have treated of cures by "emotional shock" in a previous letter. Now all the other sayings quoted by Dr. Temple refer to "faith" or "believing;" and all, I think, are connected with acts of healing. There may be doubtless in some of our present accounts of the "mighty works" some inaccuracies or exaggerations as to the nature of the disease and the circumstances of the cure. For example, when the cure is said to have been performed at a distance from the patient, either (1) faith must have wrought in the patient by his knowledge that his friends were interceding with Christ, or (2) we must assume some very doubtful theory of "brain-wave" sympathy, or admit that (3) the story is exaggerated, or else that (4) there is a bonâ fide miracle. For my own part I waver, in such cases as that of the centurion's servant and the Syro-Phœnician's daughter, between the hypotheses which I have numbered (1) and (3), with a sentimental reserve in favour of (2); but any one of these seems to me so far more probable than the hypothesis of a suspension of the laws of nature that I do not feel in the least constrained by reason of such "characteristic sayings" concerning faith, to give in my adhesion to a narrative of miracle. On the contrary I say the mention of "faith," and Christ's "marvel" at faith, and His eulogy of the "greatness" of the "faith" in certain cases, all go to prove that these acts were not miracles, but simply acts of faith-healing on a colossal scale. I hope you will not feel inclined to sneer at the reservation in those last four words. You will