Article October 28, 1911 Issue

In the introduction to his discussion of Christian Science,...

Alfred Farlow

Worcester (Mass.) Telegram

In the introduction to his discussion of Christian Science, as reported, our clerical critic recommends the study of certain criticisms of Christian Science before the study of the Christian Science text-book. I wonder if he would recommend that those whom he would lead into an acceptance of God's Word should prepare themselves therefor by reading the books of skeptics and infidels, which are calculated to prejudice the mind of the student and prevent a correct understanding thereof? Why not place the Christian Science text-book in the hands of the student and let him decide for himself, without comment, as to its merits? If its teaching, as the gentleman declares, is indeed nonsensical, it would be unwise for the reverend gentleman to in any way mar or correct its nonsense by comments. On the other hand, as a Christian minister, one who is advocating the truth, he would not be interested in any unfair presentation of the book.

But there is another point which needs to be added here. In the Christian Science movement, one is not permitted to assume the role of teacher until he has demonstrated his certain and unmistakable understanding of Christian Science by at least three years' practice in healing the sick, for the same reason that a mere believer in mathematics is not considered competent to teach mathematics; he must have demonstrated its rules. One can no more skip the examples for practice in his Christian Science career than in his mathematical career. One cannot make sure, even to himself, that he understands the teaching of Christian Science, without testing his knowledge by healing the sick according to its rules, and we think we are justified in asking our clerical critic how many years he has practised Christian Science and how many persons he has healed through his understanding, as a means of demonstrating to himself as well as to others that he understands the subject well enough to enter into the more advanced task of teaching it.

There is nothing mystical in Christian Science, although it deals wholly with the unseen spiritual facts of being. It plants itself unreservedly upon the Scriptural declaration that God is Spirit, and thus far no critic has ever attempted to assume that any statement contained in the Christian Science text-book is not consistent with its premise. Surely, a Christian minister would not object to anything which appeals to the spiritual nature of the individual, and which teaches him to depend more upon Spirit and less upon matter.

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In the introduction to his discussion of Christian Science,...

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