Article April 22, 1911 Issue

A feature of Christian Science which separates it from...

Louise Satterthwaite

Philadelphia (Pa.) Telegraph

A feature of Christian Science which separates it from nearly every other sect and denomination is the fact that it does not proselyte. From the many erroneous reports published about it, as well as the attacks leveled against it from the pulpit, one might judge it to be exceedingly active in seeking to rob various folds; but the fact is that no such thing is done; its members are early shown the advisability of not trying to lead or to persuade any one to espouse its teachings.

Speaking of this, a woman who was well and strong after many years of hopeless invalidism, said: "Of course, just as one friend will tell another of a remedy which has been very helpful, I would like to recommend it to any whom I know it would benefit; but notwithstanding what they have seen it do for me, they somehow believe I could have gotten well anyway. So now I hardly—I might say I never—speak of it, unless I am asked about it." Other Christian Scientists corroborated her words. They usually do not recommend it, even as a remedial agent, unless asked about it. Sometimes the one just healed is so full of joy because of his good fortune that he talks of it all the time; but his friends soon find ways to cool the outer edge of his warmth, and little by little he subsides into the quiet serenity which is characteristic of this people.

The natural question then is: "What is responsible for its steady and permanent growth?" The answer to this can be found only in the fact that it fulfils its promises of healing. It proves its faith by its works. Therein lies the reason for its success, and, as can readily be seen, it is quite the best reason in the world. Once in a while a report is published of a Christian Science "failure." Great indignation is expressed that this or that person "was allowed to die" under the treatment which to the uninformed mind seems to be little more than nothing, some sort of a magical incantation, perhaps. The person may have been and doubtless was in a moribund condition when Christian Science was appealed to; but that weighs nothing in the result, and there is a great to-do; yet on the same page of the paper and all around it may be reported scores of cases of death resulting under medical treatment. Would it not be jsut as logical to find fault with the doctor or surgeon who allowed his patient to slip away?

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