Article March 30, 1912 Issue

After reading the Rev.—'s uncalled-for attack upon...

Charles K. Skinner

South Haven (Mich.) Daily Gazette

After reading the Rev.—'s uncalled-for attack upon other Christian workers and their religion, I am led to quote the speaker's words against Christian Science which have appeared in recent issues of your paper. The gentleman claims to be a devout student of the Scriptures and a follower of the great Teacher. He tells us that he has lived with the Bible in several languages all his life, and that he once read the text-book of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, some sixteen years ago, and hence considers himself qualified to pass upon its value for the general public. We have met persons who had been through college (in what manner was not stated), and they even claimed to have studied mathematics, and yet were unable to compute a simple problem in compound interest; but there was no criticism on their part of the science of mathematics nor of the author of the text-book. It is not so many years back that the opponents of the telegraph scoffed at the practical uses of electricity, but they have lived to see their wise sayings brought to naught. What a man does not know proves nothing, and to deny the truth of what others are demonstrating daily to the world is worse than folly.

Our critic says that "the heart of Christianity is love." We are wondering if he has read the passages, "Judge not, that ye be not judged," and "Love one another, as I have loved you." The strange thing about it, and which must impress the thinking person, whether a church attendant or not, is this: When there is so much discord, strife, sorrow, and evil of every kind being expressed in our midst, should any one who has enlisted to lessen these unfortunate conditions waste valuable time in attacking other honest Christian workers because they do not look through the lens which he uses? Is it not a sad commentary on such so-called Christianity?

Christian Scientists are not found assailing other people in their efforts for humanity; they do not proselyte, for they believe every person has a right to his own individual opinion in every direction. They remember Jesus' words to John: "Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." If "the heart of Christianity is love," of what value is love if it is not expressed in kindness and good deeds? St. James says very plainly: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" There is no argument in the speaker's reference to hospitals and asylums, for while Christian Scientists do not build such institutions, they as individuals and societies are most liberal respecting the needs of humanity. It is a matter of record that in the various extraordinary disasters throughout the world, the contributions sent by Christian Scientists to the general treasurer of the fund in New York exceeded those of any other denomination. Mrs. Eddy herself was always a most generous supporter of worthy causes outside of Christian Science work, and this is also a matter of record in her home city.

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