Article July 26, 1900 Issue

Reply to a Clergyman's Article

Willard S. Mattox

The Courier

Editor of The Courier:—The article by the Rev. George Whitman, in your paper of May 28th last, intended as an answer to the public lecture on Christian Science by Judge William G. Ewing, is interesting, but ineffectual. Mr. Whitman not only does not answer Judge Ewing, but he makes admissions in the opening paragraphs of his carefully prepared article, which render futile any criticism, by him, of Christian Science.

When Mr. Whitman speaks of "disintegration" and "disaffection" among the churches, as accounting for the growth of Christian Science, he discloses, no doubt, one of the contributing causes; but he raises a point which I refrain from pressing home, for the query naturally follows, "Why is there disaffection in the old churches?"

Christian Science, properly understood, is a unifying force, not a segregating. It is a welding of faiths, not a re-action. Paul speaks of "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." Christ preached no creed, doctrine, or faith, one baptism." Christ preached no creed, doctrine, or sect. All the multitude of these, referred to by Mr. Whitman, have sprung up since the time of Christ. They are man-made, mortal conceptions of the divine Christ, his mission and teachings. The aim of Christian Science is to present primitive Christianity, practical and simple; having no other basis of authority than the Word of God. To practise what Jesus taught, to imitate, so far as is now possible, his works, to fulfil his command: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, . . . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." This is the life work of Christian Scientists.

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