Article May 8, 1909 Issue

We claim neither authority nor ability to determine the...

Los Angels (Cal.) Daily Times

We claim neither authority nor ability to determine the controversy between the orthodox churches and Christian Science on the merits of the case. Our only interest is that of the general public. Looking at it from this point of view, it seems to us that the way in which a New York clergyman attacks Christian Science will not succeed. There are certain fundamentals involved in this controversy, and certain facts in the case which must not be overlooked. The fact is that a very large number of thoroughly intelligent persons have adopted the form of religion known, whether accurately or otherwise, under the name Christian Science, and from all outward appearances they are as sincere and earnest in their profession of faith as any other religious body in the country.

It appears to many lookers-on as if the success of Christian Science has depended very largely upon a few plain facts. In the first place, there are very few persons in this generation or in any former one entirely of sound health of body. Our ailments are many, various, and involve the whole race. A remedy for our ills is at all times the thing which occupies our thoughts. Anything that promises alleviation to our physical and mental sufferings will always command attention. Again, Christian Science, in promising relief from bodily suffering and mental woes, is dealing with the every-day life of the people, with the things in which they are most intimately interested.

We do not know, of course, but only reason from analogy in asking what kind of a religion this clergyman preaches to his people. Is he concerned with their everyday life, with the concerns of the people whom he addresses? Or, on the contrary, is his gospel concerned only about their salvation at some future period of life, their existence in some future world under conditions unknown to us, unknowable to us here? Or does he openly preach politics and tell his people how they shall vote? If such is the preaching of this clerical critic, he will have a hard time to hold many of his congregation steadfast in their faith and protect them from the "insidious lies" of Christian Science, as he terms it. The fact is, whether this cult is scientific or Christian, the teaching of the Founder of the Christian church was very much concerned with the every-day life of the people as they found themselves then and there. There is in the Gospels very little preaching about a future state of existence and the preparation therefor, or of a future salvation. The whole tenor of the fragmentary teachings of Christ that we possess is salvation. The pulpit which concerns itself more with "the recognition of friends in heaven" than the recognition of neighbors upon earth will probably continue to lose its hearers to a cult which concerns itself largely about their every-day life here, its concerns and its blessings.

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