Article May 23, 1901 Issue

Christian Science Definitions

Elmira (N. Y.) Telegram

Christian Science is so imperfectly understood by many of those who oppose it as to make their criticisms valueless to those people who have learned even a little of the teachings of this new-old doctrine. Perhaps a few statements in explanation of some points of its teachings may be of interest in the present discussion of the merits and demerits of the new faith.

Most of the adverse criticisms of Christian Science are based upon erroneous conceptions of the new idea. An understanding of these would have stopped the publication of many newspaper articles that have (in the minds of the writers) so crushingly disposed of the new "fad." May I be permitted to express some thoughts for the benefit of honest inquirers after Truth, in definition of a few expressions that perhaps need explanation before they can properly be aligned with the old-time terminology of theologic thought?

Faith in Christian Science is not synonymous with belief. It is not a mere acceptance of an idea and a trust in Deity. On the contrary, it is an actual knowledge of the truth of the idea acquired by as logical a course of reasoning and demonstration as is demanded in solving a mathematical problem. The new "faith" is absolute knowledge. Knowing this change of definition, one can easily see that the statements and ridicule, in reference to "faith-cure" as applied to Christian Science, fall to the ground as misconceptions.

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