Article July 18, 1903 Issue

A Friendly Critic

Observer

New Haven (Conn.) Leader

In a recent issue of the New York Independent was an article by Rev. Washington Gladden on "The Truths and Untruths of Christian Science." The fact that an orthodox clergyman can find anything good in this comparatively new claimant for religious acceptance shows a great change in the attitude of orthodox ministry. Not long ago it was pronounced to be of the devil, a delusion and sham, a pestilent heresy, wholly unworthy the consideration of any right-minded person. It strikes an impartial onlooker, however, that if any one really wanted light on the subject, wished to know what it is and what it does, they would go to those who know something about it through long and careful study and practical application. Such is the course a sensible person would take if he sought a correct understanding of any other science, and it seems as though the rule would apply here equally well.

No one can really say what a doctrine is worth until they know what fruit it bears. This test was given by the great Teacher and is of universal application. The fact that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient is universally accepted by Christian people, at the same time many believe in another, an evil power, hardly less in all these manifestations. This latter Christian Scientists do not believe, and they act accordingly. They believe an evil will is no more in potency than the person allows in his own consciousness. So much yet no more.

Further, they seem able to keep themselves and families in comparatively good health without the aid of drugs or the attendance of doctors of medicine. The good which Dr. Gladden sees is its high idealism and great spirituality, opposing the rank materialism of these times. One thing, of vital importance, however, that he scarcely touched, is the fact that the Scientist looks to Christ as the Saviour from ills of every sort and name, physical as well as spiritual, and they find in the Christian Science text-book how this may be done. The clergyman prays that God will bless the means employed for the recovery of the sick; the Scientist, casting all drugs aside, has such an understanding of divine law that healing of bodily ills follows.

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