Article July 6, 1899 Issue

The Future of Christian Science

BY BENJAMIN A. GREENE, D.D.

It has a future. How far into the years it will project itself, how widely and thoroughly it may spread, no one can predict. This much can be said, and ought to be said, to some who treat the whole question with explosives of disgust: it has a future because it has a vigorous, phenomenally growing present, because, at the heart of this growth, disagree and dissent as we may, there is forcefully evident profound conviction, sincere reverence, such a sense of discovery and victory in daily experience as to make many lives radiant with joy and hope. We judge the future by what the present holds.

Letters of inquiry sent to persons outside of Christian Science circles, in eighteen representative cities of our country, bring back word that it is still making headway, and in most places with a greatly accelerated momentum. This testimony is confirmed and very largely supplemented by official publications, weekly and monthly, which I have carefully read. In New York state they claim that the number was doubled last year. In 1867, Mrs. Eddy had one pupil. To-day we find in the "Directory of Christian Science Practitioners" over two thousand names with city and street address. Every state in the Union is found there, also Canada, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Hawaii, and China. The text-book, Science and Health, has gone through one hundred and sixty editions, and the call is for more. Three weeks ago Mr. Kimball claimed in his Chicago lecture that Christian Scientists had nearly two million instances of healing. Make such allowances as the most sceptical insist upon; even then you have a bulky, vigorous fact striding to-day where it was creeping only yesterday. It has emerged from the silence of contempt. Editors, ministers, medical clubs, legislatures, give it attention. Such an aggressive force is bound to project itself yet further. It has a future.

The uniform report is that their services show a happy and contented company. Something gives them joy. Not many houses of worship have been built; but when they build, they dedicate free of debt. It takes conviction to use the pocketbook in that way. The Sentinel and the Journal give in every issue a large number of letters. Hardheaded business men, as well as women and farmers, open their hearts in testimony; specify as to the healing that has come to their home, sagacity and poise to their business management, and spiritual calm to their minds; and then give name, city, street, number. Just such testimonials are coveted by materia medica and orthodox churches. They are willing witnesses, and zealous in distributing literature. In all this we must admit "promise and potency" for the future.

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