Article November 27, 1902 Issue

Removing Misunderstandings

Frank W. Gale

Alameda (Cal.) Argus.

Mr. Editor:—The report in your paper of a recent criticism of Christian Science, contains so many incorrect statements, that I ask the privilege of your columns to reply.

The critic concedes that "Christian Science has many commendable characteristics;" "it is a great promoter of hope and good cheer;" "it is valuable in the emphasis it places on the spiritual constitution of the universe;" "multitudes have undoubtedly been benefited physically by its ministrations;" "it is also unquestionable that many have experienced a moral renovation through the teachings of Christian Science." Having acknowledged all these beneficial results, he proceeds to criticise, not Christian Science, but his views of its teachings. If Christian. Science really were what he says it is, it could not produce the results it does, and he would be justified in not believing in it.

The first objection is to the Christian Science theory of matter. He says it is inadequate, and adds, "I believe, as Emerson says, that 'God has delegated His wisdom and authority to every stone,' and that matter is a dense but real from of the great reality." In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 277), Mrs. Eddy says: "The realm of the real is spiritual. The opposite of Spirit is matter, and the opposite of the real is the unreal, or material. ... Nothing we can say or believe regarding matter is immortal. for matter is temporal, and is therefore a mortal phenomenon. sometimes beautiful, always transitory." This agrees with Paul's statement: "For the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen are eternal." In teaching the unreality and unsubstantiality of matter, Christian Science does not claim, as the critic asserted, that there is no body, no man, no earth, no universe. On the contrary, we read in Science and Health (p. 114): "In divine Science, the universe, including man, is spiritual, harmonious, and eternal. Science shows that what is termed matter is but the subjective state of what is herein termed mortal mind." The term "mortal mind" is used to designate the supposed opposite of Immortal Mind, or God, and is what Paul referred to as "the mind of the flesh," which "is enmity against God." But the real man, the image and likeness of God, manifests the divine Mind.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Spiritual Healing for all Time