Article August 23, 1900 Issue

In Defence of Christian Science

Edward E. Norwood

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times

To the Chattanooga Times:—I wish to say a few words concerning Rev. Mr. Brougher's sermon on Christian Science, not in any sense of controversy, but simply to correct some misstatements made which would lead to incorrect conclusions. I am sure Mr. Brougher is sincere and honest in criticising Christian Science, and thinks he is doing his congregation and the community in general a good service. I will frankly say that if that were Christian Science which one would deduce from a dispassionate perusal of his sermon, I, for one, would never have accepted it. But it isn't. The trouble with all who thunder against our system is, they simply set up a straw man which they label Christian Science, and then tear it to pieces (creating quite a litter the while), and the Christian Science man goes on, totally oblivious of it all, for he knows he has not been touched.

Of the twelve references from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" used by Mr. Brougher, five were totally incorrect, and all were detached sentences, separated from their context, and thus were more or less misleading. One could take the Bible and by quoting isolated passages, make it appear contradictory and absurd to the highest degree. Is it fair thus to hold a system up to ridicule by such unjust methods? We seek investigation, but ask that such be pursued in a spirit of justice and honest inquiry, otherwise little knowledge of Christian Science will be gained.

Mr. Brougher asks: "Can the followers of Mrs. Eddy be called Christians in the real sense of the term?" I might say in passing, we are not followers of Mrs. Eddy, but of Christ, for that godly woman disclaims all personal following, and is continually turning people from her personality to the impersonal Christ. But we do claim to be Christians, and think we can prove it by proving our religion according to the teachings of Christ, as given in the New Testament, and also, I trust, by the lives we are endeavoring to lead.

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