Article January 29, 1903 Issue

A Clergyman to a Clergyman

Martin Sindall

Dear Sir: —Your "objections" lie before me. Permit me to say that I am a minister in one of the orthodox churches, and have endeavored in reading Science and Health to do so from an unprejudiced standpoint. To my mind, prejudice is the child of ignorance, and is therefore not born of heaven. You and I, as recognized leaders in spiritual things, should be careful what we exalt or oppose, knowing our influence on others. How essential, then, that we possess, as far as possible, the knowledge divine, the love which is radiant with its own glorious power, and the truth which alone can effectually make men free, and add to these (if indeed addition is necessary) the spirit of Christ, without which we are none of his.

I have given the subject of Christian Science considerable time and study, because I have believed for years that God had not withdrawn healing power from His children. My study, having given me something of a knowledge concerning this important subject, has failed to disclose anything that will harmonize with your conception of it. Without doubt you think you are right in the position you have taken, and have a sincere desire to put down anything which opposes, to your mind, the kingdom of Christ. But we should be careful. Remember the man who touched the ark. Remember those who persecuted John the Baptist and our blessed Lord. Remember Paul, who was sure he was right when he oppressed the Christians of his day, verily believing he did God service. The cause of our Lord has suffered more from those who professed themselves children of God than from the wilfully sinful. "A man's foes shall be [are] they of his own household." Let us be careful how we criticise Christian Science, lest we be found warring against Truth. To my personal knowledge several have been cured through Christian Science of diseases which doctors have pronounced hopeless, and it has given peace, happiness, and spiritual prosperity to many thousands.

Concerning the "First Word" written by The—Chemical Company who have issued the booklet which contains your views of Christian Science, I have nothing to say, unless it be that it is quite natural for such a company to be opposed to a people whose views and life practice forbid their assisting to enrich such a corporation, though I doubt not but that they love each member of the firm and hope they may some day learn their error and turn to Truth as a more efficient power than any chemical which they may compound.

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