Editorial May 25, 1912 Issue

"IS NOT THE WHOLE LAND BEFORE THEE?"

Archibald McLellan

Some misunderstanding seems to have followed the reports of the recent Central Conference of American rabbis, held at Baltimore last month, to the effect that Jews were being received into membership in the Christian Science church while retaining their membership in the synagogue. It is true that many former followers of Judaism have become members of our church, but in order to have done so it was necessary for each one to sign an application containing the statement, "I am not a member of any church. I was formerly a member of the Jewish denomination, but have definitely severed my connection therewith." This action is in accordance with a by-law of The Mother Church, which reads as follows: "This church will receive a member of another Church of Christ, Scientist, but not a churchmember from a different denomination until that membership is dissolved" (Church Manual, p. 34).

The facts, as we understand them, are that the conference merely adopted a resolution declaring "that it is impossible for Jews to accept Christian Science without thereby denying Judaism." We are informed that the paper on this subject, which was read by Rabbi Lefkowitz, was dignified and tolerant, but definite in making clear the difference which he saw between Christian Science and Judaism; also that another rabbi, who attempted to ridicule Christian Science, was compelled by the audience to desist and to leave the platform, an example in propriety which might well be followed in all religious discussion. The tone of the Jewish press in commenting on this incident has been uniformly dignified, self-respecting, and kindly, as, for instance, the American Hebrew, which said:—

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