Christian Science and the Churches

Glens Falls (N.Y.) News

A notable evidence of liberality as well as common sense was shown by Dr. Madison C. Peters in a recent sermon on Christian Science. Dr. Peters is pastor of the Broad Street Baptist Church, New York City. He is not a Christian Scientist, but he recognizes the Christian spirit of those who follow Mrs. Eddy's teachings and does not find them inconsistent with the gospel he preaches.

Dr. Peters sees no reason why the disciples of Mrs. Eddy should withdraw from the active membership of the Christian church. He said in so many words, "Christian Science stands as a protest against the materialistic tendency of the age, but Christianity has always been a protest against materialism and a plea for the supremacy of the spiritual life. Those who are looking toward Christian Science will find in the gospel of our Savious the deepest gratification of all their kindly sympathies. They need not withdraw from the church, which bids men and women pity the sorrowing and lift them up to the healing touch of the loving Father, and promises the time when sickness, sorrow, and death shall be no more."

Not all clergymen, however, are so liberal-minded and hospitable in their thought as is Dr. Peters. Christian Scientists have been preached at and against. They have been denounced by the clergy and made the subject of sarcastic ridicule. What was most sacred to them was treated with a sneer.

The followers of Mrs. Eddy emphasized the tenets of Christianity and tried to put them into practice. They could not see why the Christian church should be hostile to them, but it was, and in the most humiliating ways. It ridiculed in them the attempt to carry out the commands of Christ by trying to heal the sick, and it made light of their peculiar way of leading a spiritual rather than material life.

For these reasons Christian Scientists were forced to withdraw from a church which professedly had the same ideals as their own. Had there been the courtesy, the appreciation, the Christian sympathy, which Dr. Peters manifested last Sunday, Christian Scientists would have had no reason for segregating themselves in churches of their own. As it was they were compelled to do so simply in self-defence.

Editorial Glens Falls (N.Y.) News.

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