Article January 10, 1901 Issue

A Reply to Dr. Marshall of Raleigh, N. C.

Alfred Farlow

Raleigh (N. C.) Observer

Boston, Mass., November 6, 1900.

To the Editor:—In your issue of the second you reported a sermon on the subject, "Christian Science and Faith Cures," by Rev. Dr. Marshall. He first presented quotations from Mrs. Eddy's book, and that much of the sermon I heartily endorse. He adds: "Mrs. Eddy's book, Science and Health, is not a very readable book, nor one easily understood." No science can be understood without earnest study and application. Even our Master said: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." This statement implies that it is not easy to understand and live the Truth; and yet ease and harmony always follow such practice. An apprentice often chooses a hard way of doing a thing, which is easily accomplished by a master. Jesus said: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The Master had served his apprenticeship well, and was able to accomplish with perfect ease that which his disciples failed to do, and concerning which they said: "Why could not we cast him out?"

Multitudes of those who are "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," have found Science and Health, the Christian Science text-book, easy of comprehension. Are the people of this denomination better educated than Dr. Marshall, and so more equal to the understanding of this volume? This I do not assert, but would rather attribute the difference between those who so easily take hold of the Science of Christ, and one who evidences his misapprehension only, to the fact that some Christians are more ready to accept the premise of Christian Science—that God is Spirit, Love, Life, Truth—and for this reason are better capable of comprehending conclusions drawn from these definitions of God. It might be wise for our clergymen to refrain from the effort to express an opinion as to the teachings of Christian Science until they too have used the ideas taught in this school with healing results. Only the practical Christian Scientist can intelligently teach this Science. The effort to apostrophize about any science, or any subject concerning which knowledge is not gained from actual experience, is likely to prove a failure.

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