Editorial August 18, 1906 Issue

A Manly Apology

Archibald McLellan

The work of the Publication Committee has been largely in the nature of securing the publication of correct statements of Christian Science, in answer to misstatements which have previously appeared in newspapers, and in this work the members of the Committee almost invariably have found the editors ready to publish the necessary correction, but without assuming responsibility for it or for the original incorrect or offensive article. In some instances regret has been expressed for the publication of the offending article, and in a few instances the editors have felt called upon to publicly apologize for the misuse of their columns. An instance of this latter kind is found in the Ottawa, Canada, Evening Journal, which contained the following manly apology in its issue of Aug. 7 :—

"A few days ago, in a report of a 'Dakota Cyclone' meeting in Harmony Hall, The Journal allowed to slip into print an objectionable reference to Mrs. Eddy, the head of the Christian Science Church. The Journal regrets the publication of the item, not only because of the pain it may have given to Christian Scientists in and around Ottawa, but because the publication of such remarks is contrary to The Journal's principles.

"The Journal may not agree with Mrs. Eddy's teachings, as a whole, but it knows nothing derogatory to Mrs. Eddy's personal character. In fact it knows much to her credit, especially as a philanthropist. The Dakota Cyclone made many wild statements during his stay here. The Journal regrets that through a slip it was made the medium for spreading his wholly unwarranted attack on Mrs. Eddy. The Journal apologizes to Mrs. Eddy and to the local Christian Scientists."