Article November 7, 1908 Issue

We do not question the right of our critic to make his...

James D. Sherwood

Beaumont (Tex.) Enterprise

We do not question the right of our critic to make his choice of remedies. Christian Scientists claim the same right. If our appeal is to Spirit instead of matter, it is because we have confidence in the promises of Christ Jesus, who said: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." In more than a million cases it has been proved in Christian Science practice that Christ's way is the best way. Indeed, there is no other way. While it is true that Christian Scientists resort to divine Mind instead of drugs, when needing help, they are taught to entertain the greatest respect for physicians and to admire the self-sacrifice and devotion which they manifest in the practice of their profession.

Many clergymen are to-day bearing faithful testimony to Christian Science and its devoted Leader. In strong contrast with our critic's remarks, I will present a few statements by Rev. Frank N. Riale, Ph.D., a prominent Presbyterian minister, from his contribution to the West-minster, a Presbyterian weekly published in Philadelphia. He says: "I am very glad indeed to express my own reason for gratitude for what Christian Science is doing; for he is not a truth-lover who would not be willing to proclaim upon the housetop the honest convictions of his heart. I do most sincerely feel that the 'spirit' of the message of Christian Science is that which ever has been dearest to the heart of Christendom at the moments of its deepest awakening, and is truly naught else than the heavenlyanointed message of Jesus. It is a living consciousness, not a mere theoretical assent to the great cardinal truth of all religion, that 'God is All-in-all,' and that in Him there can be no darkness at all. It is the awakening of the conviction in our hearts, by the witness of the Spirit, that 'God is Love;' and that in Him there never has been, nor ever can be, a problem in human life that the working out of this love will not solve." Of Mrs. Eddy he wrote: "I want to express my most sincere gratitude for what she has been doing, through God's proven presence, to lead a great multitude that no man can number into a more living realization of the priceless preciousness of an experienced knowledge of Jesus Christ, and make them feel that he came to show us that there is no more reason for a man being sick, than there is for his being a sinner; and that the sinless, the sickless, the deathless life is the gift of God. to be had by all for the taking — the longed-for possession to be had by all that fully believe it."

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