Article March 20, 1902 Issue

About Christian Science

Frank H. Leonard

Brooklyn (N. Y.) Daily Eagle

To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle.

In your issue of the 12th inst. appears an article from Joseph B. Barry, which needs reply; and I request the privilege of your columns for that purpose. The writer has been a student of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy, and Mr. Barry a reader merely. As readers we frequently form wrong opinions as to what is meant by the author of any work dealing with the sciences. It is only when we become close students of such subjects that we are able to grasp the meaning of the context and then, possibly, our explanation is not lucid to one who has not followed in a degree the same course of instruction that we have. While the writer is familiar with the philosophical writings of Berkeley and Kant, he would hardly feel justified in attempting to act as a teacher of philosophy, using the works of these authors as text-books, until he had spent ample time to master them completely. From this same standpoint would it not appeal to Mr. Barry that he is less competent than the writer "to grasp the meaning of the language embodied in the quotations referred to" from Science and Health? There are neither "incoherencies" nor "inconsistencies" in Science and Health or the other writings of Mrs. Eddy when they are read with the understanding that the truth referred to in these writings can only be discerned spiritually. God's Word has never appealed to the reason of mankind, because reason is supposed to be the basis for wisdom and the Bible tells us that the "wisdom of this world is foolishness with God," and again, "Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." If Mr. Barry, or any one else who is desirous of knowing of the healing work that Christian Science has done in cases which cannot be classed as "imaginary," will call at the Christian Science reading rooms, in Temple Bar Building, they will be cheerfully furnished with the names and addresses of those who have been born blind and now see; who have been deaf and now hear; and who have used glasses for years and now see without them. The writer was born with valvular heart disease and had the services of the best physicians that could be obtained, but was afforded no relief until, under Christian Science treatment, he was perfectly healed; and since the fall of 1884, he has been a well man, believing Christian Science competent to care for him in all cases.

The writer does not himself know of the truth of the reports in the daily press as to charges being made for Christian Science treatment in Berlin; but he does know that the Bible says: "The laborer is worthy of his hire," and that Jesus did not refuse to permit the alabaster box of precious ointment to be used in gratitude for what he had done, nor did he object to the widow's mite. They were both symbolic of gratitude, and as such were praised and recorded. Christian Science practitioners give gratuitous treatment just as readily and willingly where it is needed as they do the treatment that is paid for, and the majority of practitioners have patients of the former as well as of the latter class. Frank H. Leonard, C.S.B.

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