Article October 12, 1912 Issue

In a recent sermon, as reported in a late issue, the preacher...

Warwick A. Tyler

Salt Lake City (Utah) Tribune

In a recent sermon, as reported in a late issue, the preacher classifies Christian Science with theosophy and various forms of the religions of the East, and in speaking of these he mentioned that they insist it is wise to study all religions and pick out the best from each, and so make up a composite religion suited to the individual taste.

Christian Science has nothing whatever to do with any religion of the East, ancient or modern, nor is it founded upon any such. It has for its foundation the very elements of Christianity, namely, the words and works of Jesus Christ. It is quite true, as the reverend gentleman states, that Christian Science differs very widely from "traditional Christianity." Is it not also true that the teachings of the Nazarene differed very widely from the traditional religion of the rabbis? Yet the pure religion of Moses, stripped of all tradition and ceremonial, was and is found to be the same as that of Christ Jesus, i.e., a belief in and an understanding of the great fact that there is but one God. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." Moses taught this. So did Jesus; and he said in answer to the scribe's question that all the law and the prophets was fulfilled in man's loving God supremely and his neighbor as himself. This, too, is exactly what Christian Science is teaching.

Our reverend friend suggests that the twentieth century may need a religion differing very widely from that of the first century. Christ Jesus showed that the first century needed to know God as He is, and he proved by his works that this knowledge of God and of man's relation to Him, brought surcease from sin, sorrow, disease, and death. The Master taught and practised a religion of works. He also promised that those who believed on him (understood his teaching) should do the works that he did and even greater works. His disciples and apostles accepted this as true and proved it to be true, for the word was confirmed "with signs following." Such was the religion of the first century; and surely the twentieth and every other century can need nothing save a better understanding of the religion of Christ Jesus, who said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Christian Scientists are accepting this promise and its condition (to continue in his word) in its entirety, and are proving, according to the measure of their continuing (understanding), that "signs" are still following "them that believe," by the healing of all manner of sin and disease.

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