Article July 29, 1911 Issue

A late issue contained a criticism of Christian Science...

Frank C. Barrett

Portland (Me.) Press

A late issue contained a criticism of Christian Science by Bishop Neely, which, coming as it did from the presiding elder at the New England conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, is a decided contrast to statements made at the Protestant Episcopal convention last fall, when Christian Science healing was referred to in an editorial in the Baltimore American as " 'a jewel which the church cast away and a woman picked up.' This was the concession made by one of the delegates to the insight of Mrs. Eddy, in perceiving that the church was failing to use one of its most potent instrumentalities and that it was neglecting one of the finest weapons of warfare, unmindful that it hung in the armory of the church as an obsolete piece of Christian equipment."

When it is remembered that the Master sent his disciples "to preach the gospel, and to heal the sick," and when it is further remembered that his preaching healed the sick as well as reformed the sinner, as did that of his disciples and followers for more than two hundred years afterward, then it becomes apparent that the early Christians found the "pearl of great price" a vital and practical element in the practice of their religion. In fact it was this sort of preaching "with signs following" which testified that they were true Christians, according to the standard of him who said: "By their fruits ye shall know them."

Inasmuch as Christian Science teaches those who understand it to do in word and deed all that Jesus said should attend the efforts of "them that believe," and inasmuch as Christian Scientists are today proving in large measure the efficiency of those teachings in the destruction of sin as well as the healing of sickness, it ill becomes a clergyman to speak slightingly of another's religious views, simply because one does not follow with him. In the gospel of St. Luke will be found the proper attitude for one Christian to hold toward other Christians: "And John answered and said: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him: Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." Therefore the Christian Scientist never attacks the religion of others, for while he believes that Christian Science follows with the Master, he does not feel that it is right to condemn others because they do not follow with us.

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