Article October 14, 1911 Issue

If to permit the use of its columns for the correction of...

Charles K. Skinner

Escanaba (Mich.) Morning Press

If to permit the use of its columns for the correction of misstatements made by another publication—whether against Christian Science or any other topic or personality—constitutes championship, the Morning Press has that honor. It was certainly an act of courtesy on the part of its editor, which would doubtless be extended to any other organization in like circumstances. It is certainly appreciated by all fair-minded people of Escanaba. The fact that the editor of another paper could not grasp the meaning of the statements respecting a recent critic, does not prove that the majority of your readers did not understand them. It has been well said that one taking up the New Testament with a sense of hatred toward Jesus and with an opposition to his teachings, could gain no understanding from them. The same may be said of those who read the text-book of Christian Science, Science and Health, for the purpose of criticism and not in the spirit of honest investigation.

With regard to the sermon from the minister in question concerning Christian Science, the gentleman has made a number of assertions that can be considered only as his personal opinion or misapprehension of this religion. Assertions without proof, like clouds without water, are the favorite method of opponents of any subject which they do not understand, but they constitute no argument in the minds of the earnest investigators. It is in the memory of many still living that the inventor of the telegraph was jeered and scoffed at for his temerity in insisting that general correspondence could be carried on in a quicker way than by the post. Still later, words could not express the disgust of the unprogressive for the individual who had faith in the wireless method of communication. None of these scoffers, however, could give any reason for their position, only it was "agin all reason," as an old pioneer of the early days said of the locomotive before he had seen it. In this present hour of advancement the people are not sitting idly by and accepting for truth every unfounded assertion that comes from the pulpit or platform. They ask for a reason and the proofs.

One objection to Christian Science was because of "its absolute dependence upon God." This is a most astounding statement to come from the clergy, as reliance upon God at all times and in all places is the fundamental teaching of the Bible. In the Psalms we read, "No good thing will he [the Lord] withhold from them that walk uprightly." Let the faint-hearted read these words: "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Where can more positive assurance be found of the unchanging love and care of God for His children than in the ninety first Psalm and in the seventh chapter of Deuteronomy? The Bible is full of God's promises of help and succor to all who trust Him and are obedient to His teachings. But how many do trust Him and are obedient? The only demand made for all the blessings that we can possibly need is right living; and right living means first right thinking, next right acting. It means a close observance of the golden rule. How many are willing to analyze their own thoughts and actions to such a degree? How much selfishness on every line would vanish, how much hatred, malice, dishonesty, debauchery would flee away, if the world for one short day would keep the two commandments: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself"!

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