Article September 5, 1908 Issue

The critic has said that "the Christian Scientists were...

Frederick Dixon—Bodmin, Eng.

Cornish Guardian

The critic has said that "the Christian Scientists were trying to win America and London," and that they must be fought. Now Christian Scientists are preaching not merely in America and London, but throughout the world, the fact that the gospel of Jesus was a gospel not only for sinners but for the sick; a gospel not only of moral but of physical healing; and that this is why he said, "Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?" There is just one way in which any orthodox church can fight Christian Science, if you are going to admit for an instant that such a term is admissible, and that is by healing more quickly, more efficaciously, more universally. If it will attempt to do this, it will very soon find that we are both working for a common end, and there will grow up instead of rivalry a loving and Christian cooperation. Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Is it not about time the inhabitants of Christendom began to put this command into practice instead of devoting their energies to the criticism of one another, and of those in particular who are endeavoring to carry out this command most thoroughly?

The day is gone by forever when it is possible to ignore the movement whose followers have set themselves the task of demonstrating the practicability of the teachings of Christ Jesus in their entirety. Originally the pioneers of the movement were sent out by Mrs. Eddy from Boston, but the pioneers have developed into companies and the companies into battalions, recruited from all sorts and conditions of men, in half the countries of the world. These men are drawn from the great churches, and from the medical schools; there are to be found amongst them distinguished officers, as well as the rank and file of the services, brilliant advocates, and members of the legislative councils; they number amongst them thousands of the most clear-sighted business men, and artists of every description; you will find them in the mining camps of the Andes, in Australian stations, in the shops, workshops, and factories of the world. The force which has given impetus to this great movement, the attraction which is binding together this vast concourse of men and women, the influence which is enabling them to demonstrate the power of the spiritual law which governs them instead of browing beneath the burdens with which physical law would claim to burden them, is the knowledge of Truth, in the understanding of the Bible, taught to them in their text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy.

It is an admitted fact, it is indeed a fact which can no longer be denied, that the reading of Science and Health has made thousands upon thousands of happier, healthier, and better men and women,—men and women rescued from pain and disease, and from the "valley of the shadow of death;" rescued from sorrow and poverty, from despair, and from the misery of living; rescued from the myriad temptations of sin, and going out, in their turn, into the world to preach "glad tidings of good things." Before this critic turns to fight this movement, would it not be well for him to read once again the story of Jesus' rebuke to John: "And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part."

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