Defends Christian Science

Willard S. Mattox

Daily Standard Union

To the Editor of the Standard Union.

Dear Sir:—On the assumption that the Rev. E. P. Marvin was correctly quoted in your issue of the sixth of November, as having spoken against Christian Science, I beg your permission to correct the false impression which may be given to your readers by the statements credited to this gentleman. Mr. Marvin finds fault with Christian Scientists because they have "not a solitary foundation in physical science." Christian Scientists stand on a surer basis than man-made philosophies or humanly evolved sciences. The first chapter of Genesis, wherein it is recorded that God, who is divine Mind, Spirit, created all that was made, is the foundation upon which Christian Science rests. In this account of creation there is no hint about a physical origin of the universe.

The Science of Mind is the understanding of God as Spirit, of His universe and man, and man's relation to his Creator. If an understanding of the causation of all things be not Science, and if a faithful adherence to Christ's commands be not Christian, than, indeed, Christian Science is a misnomer; but such is not the case. The Rev. Marvin concedes that many Christian Scientists are "moral, intelligent men and women." He should give credit where credit is due, and an investigation would show that the morality and intelligence which he notices are due to a closer communion with God, and a better understanding of man's spiritual reality, as given by Christian Science.

The criticism that Christian Scientists are "derationalized" can have no force when one meets in the daily walks of life the hundreds of men and women whom Dr. Marvin has found to be moral and intelligent. The further fact mentioned by Dr. Marvin, that "Christian Scientists have made more converts during the last ten years than have all the other denominations put together," ought to mean something, even to the biased or prejudiced mind.

Mysticism has no part in Christian Science. The Bible is interpreted spiritually, and the profound truths which have for centuries been clouded by dogmatic assertion, cloaked in scholastic beliefs, and hidden under a material, human concept, are brought out in all their simple grandeur by Christian Science. The eternal facts of Being, that God is Good, and that He "made all that was made" and pronounced it good, and that man was made spiritually, in the image and likeness of his Creator, are the only doctrines of Christian Science.

It is absurd to say that the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy, does not contain a sentence that is grammatical, or that has any meaning. If our critic fails to understand it, it is for the same reason that he has failed to understand Jesus' words when he said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do." "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils." The Christian Scientist believes and knows that this was meant for all time, and that there has never been a special dispensation when the word of God applied to His children only afterwards to become null and void; for God's word is eternal and changeless.

Yours truly,
Willard S. Mattox.
In the Daily Standard Union, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Doctrine of Christian Science

January 24, 1901

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit