Article December 19, 1908 Issue

"Our Debt to Christian Science" was the somewhat...

Haverhill Evening Gazette

"Our Debt to Christian Science" was the somewhat startling title of the sermon recently at Union Church. It was the fifth discourse in the series on "The Ministry of Healing," which has aroused considerable interest during the past few weeks. Taking his text from Romans, 1:14, "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the foolish," Rev. George H. Hubbard, the pastor, said,—

A splendid utterance this, and as bold as splendid. It well expresses the broad-minded, generous, frank, and fearless nature of St. Paul's religion. Few, probably, of his fellow-apostles would have recognized any indebtedness on their part to those outside their circle; but true Christianity is always receptive, universally receptive. It seeks the good everywhere, and when it has found truth it does not hide it in unmanly fear or prejudice, but frankly avows, "I am debtor." To-day we find some very earnest disciples so narrow-minded that they will not receive spiritual help from any outside their own little sect, or, receiving, will not acknowledge their debt. This ought not to be. Whoever would be perfect must receive good from whatsoever source it may come, and must not forget to acknowledge the debt.

Personally I am not a believer in the doctrines of Christian Science, nor am I even leaning that way. Yet I perceive that the system embodies certain vital truths, and that it has a mission of God that shall bless all who will receive it. For what Christian Science has already done, for what it is doing, and for what it may yet do, we are debtors. But general statements of debt carry little weight. It is the itemized account that stands in court and compels payment. Let us therefore itemize our bill of indebtedness to Christian Science.

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