Article June 11, 1910 Issue

Christian Scientists know that their teaching is radically...

Charles K. Skinner

Bay City (Mich.) Tribune

Christian Scientists know that their teaching is radically different on some lines from that of others, and that a superficial reading of the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," fits no one to judge it or the practice of its followers. Some years ago an orthodox minister of our city attacked Christian Science from the same standpoint as has our present critic. On being interviewed, he was asked if he had ever read the text-book carefully, to know just what Mrs. Eddy taught. His reply was that he had never read it, but he had read excerpts from it in various papers, and he had talked with other ministers and different people, and he felt that he was perfectly competent to judge of the doctrine.

On being asked if he would consider such a method adopted by opponents toward his own teaching a just one, he had the honesty to say that he would not. He then frankly said that he would read the text-book carefully, from an unbiased standpoint, and if he found he was mistaken he would write a retraction. To his credit, be it said, he did not only corrected his former article, but said that while he did not fully understand some of the statements in Science and Health, he was sure that Christian Science was teaching the truth, and Mrs. Eddy was doing a great work for humanity.

The present critic tells us that "the cause of the rapid spread of Christian Science is its strong appeal to the physical needs of mankind." Granting this to be true, in most instances, is it not right and proper to show the sick man that he can be well and happy, and remain so, by living a right life; and that the power of God to help him do it is here now, by healing him through that same power? The Master, who was the greatest teacher of God's word that ever lived, carried out this plan all through his life, and he declared that the only mark of his followers was that they should do the works that he did. Almost his last words were, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." It is true that Jesus reproved the people because of their material desire for the "loaves and fishes," yet there is no instance recorded where he refused the physical healing, although he always made a demand on those whom he healed either for faith, obedience, or better living. The Gospels are full of the works of physical healing, showing that Jesus considered that harmony in the physical body was a necessary counterpart of the spiritual harmony. When John, who was in prison, sent to Jesus for proofs of his Messiahship, he said to these messengers, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."

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