Article September 23, 1911 Issue

When a Science of healing which claims to be religion,...

Miss Ellen Bentinck-Beach—Germany.

Guide to Dresden

When a Science of healing which claims to be religion, and a religion which claims to be a healing Science, is first presented to the modern world, the learned receive it with sneers and the vulgar with abuse. It is only when the phenomena, inseparable from this gospel of healing by the power of intelligence, have forced themselves into notice, that the public sits up and asks, What is this?—Yes—what is this Christian Science about whose name there is still so much controversy, although there is scarcely a nation of the earth today that is not stretching out eager hands to gather its benefactions? Christian Science is the universal law of Love in active operation. Applied understandingly it breaks the shackles of disease, banishes sorrow, and resolves discord of every kind into harmony. It has proved itself able to cope with and overthrow the greatest enemy of the human race—fear.

Considered from the standpoint of ethics, "it is Christian Science to do right, and nothing short of right-doing has any claim to the name" (Science and Health, p. 448). Regarded as a therapeutic system, Christian Science replaces the unintelligent drug with thought; declares that Mind, not matter, is medicine, and therein follows the rule laid down by the master Metaphysician—Jesus of Nazareth. Considered theologically, Christian Science stands forth as a religion unincumbered by creeds and devoid of ceremonial observances. It recognizes one omnipotence, and that good, as controlling the universe, inclusive ef all human affairs. It says by the mouth of its Founder: "Human philosophy has made God manlike. Christian Science makes man Godlike" (Ibid., p. 269). To the intelligent reader it must be apparent that the acceptance of the above premises, whether singly or as a whole, involves the rejection of all alleged copartnership between Christian Science and hypnotism, spiritualism, esoteric magic, or human will-power. Its walks and its ways are in the light and of the day.

Whatever the judgment of future generations may be concerning Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science, her contemporaries owe her unstinted praise for the solace her Science has brought to thousands of worried mortals. Says the Washington Herald: "The nineteenth century century business man is not only overworked but overworried. His need is the serenity and relaxation of mental rest. He wants a mental anchorage that also sustains and buoys: but this anchor must be stamped with absolute certainly (Gewissheit). Christian Science affords its believers just this. Mrs. Eddy's influence in thousands of homes has been for the amelioration of life and manners in family and social intercourse. Her creed of hope has raised thousands of pessimists out of the slough of despair and has converted an army of hypochondriacs into cheerful and useful citizens."

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