Article August 28, 1909 Issue

Readers of the Christian Science text-book, Science and Health,...

Charles K. Skinner

Battle Creek (Mich.) Daily Moon

Readers of the Christian Science text-book, Science and Health, whether Christian Scientists or not, who read the book carefully from the view-point of Mrs. Eddy, viz., that of the spiritual man and universe, must certainly be much amused at Dr.—'s persistent belaboring of his man of straw in his recent lecture. The declaration that "Christian Science is neither Christian nor scientific," was doubtless intended to be the "big stick" to frighten the hearers, should they care to indulge in the fallacy of thinking for themselves, but the fact is that this particular saying has been refuted so often that even the opponents of Christian Science fail to see anything in it. Time was when certain of the clergy and medical people,—not all, fearing a depletion in the ranks of their membership and patients, resorted to this assertion to keep them in line. The result, however, has been so disastrous, owing to the thousands of men and women who stubbornly insist on finding health and peace, even at the expense of leaving pastor and physician, that few are now rash enough to indulge in this kind of criticism.

This critic tells us that "the fundamental error upon which Christian Science is founded, is that it claims that sin does not exist." In the Christian Science text-book, Science and Health, page 37, we find this: "Does not Science show that sin brings suffering as much today as yesterday? They who sin must suffer." Page 405: "If sin is not regretted and is not lessening, then it is hastening on to physical and moral doom." Many similar statements appear in all of Mrs. Eddy's writings, showing that assertions like those of this critic are from inexcusable carelessness, to speak mildly. When facts are known, public opinion is a rigid censor.

On the other hand, Christian Science does teach that sin and sickness are both unreal to God and to the spiritual man, because God created all that was made, according to the Scriptures, and it is stated that "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." Consequently, sin and sickness must either be good and to be desired, and the clergy and doctors are defying God in their attempt to destroy them; or else, not being His creations, they are unreal and can be destroyed by His power. This was Christ's teaching when he said, "I am not come to. destroy, but to fulfil." This understanding enabled him to say to the paralytic, "Stretch forth thine hand," and it was done.

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