Article August 1, 1903 Issue

An English Letter

We are permitted to publish the following extracts from a letter written by a Scientist in Durham, Eng., to his brother in America. Ed.

"There has been a discussion on Christian Science in a church meeting at Newcastle at which I spoke. In connection with the church in the Parish of St. Thomas there has been a monthly meeting, open to men, to discuss present-day questions. The discussion has been general and there has been no lack of expression of opinion. The closing session was to hear a paper by a Rev. Harrison, D.D., one of Newcastle's Church of England ministers, on 'Substitutes for Religion, including Christian Science.' When it was announced I was informed that it would be open for any one to attend and reply or make any comment.

"The speaker was introduced by the vicar, and he spoke for some fifty minutes of Positivism, Socialism, Christian Science, and Theosophy in the order named. He soon got through with the first, remarking it was undeniably a dying-out movement. Socialism was spoken of almost entirely in regard to a series of articles in the London Clarion on 'Science and Religion.' He then turned the attention of his audience to Christian Science, and from his first words to the last fairly seemed to 'take their breath.' Had they come there to hear a Balaam curse it? If so, they went away disappointed. Any one could tell he had not only a ripe experience, but had profited by it. 'Don't,' said he, 'be hasty to pass judgment on a new phase of thought. Wait until you are in a position to judge properly before condemning. There is much beauty and goodness in the teachings of Christian Science, and they certainly have what our Church has not, the power of healing, and (speaking emphatically) the Church ought to possess it. In the States Christian Science has made great headway, but it is not yet a force to be reckoned with in this country, as it is only spreading, as yet, in London.' and so on.

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