Article August 24, 1912 Issue

I have read in a recent issue a reference to the letter by...

Algernon Hervey-Bathurst

Torquay (Eng.) Directory

I have read in a recent issue a reference to the letter by Frederick Dixon on Christian Science published in a previous issue. May I be permitted to point out that the critic has taken a really extraordinary point of view. He commences by stating that he does not wish to "criticize the ground taken, the arguments used, the accuracy of the reasoning, etc." Nevertheless, he forthwith proceeds to point out what he considers to be the "striking" difference between Christian Science and the "simplicity and clearness of the teachings of Christ Jesus." Now, the fact is that the teachings of Christian Science are so simple that even the children are able to accept the clear statements of absolute truth, and not only accept them, but put them into practise, and this because the teachings of Christian Science are the teachings of the Master reiterated. The mere repetition of metaphysical statements would avail but little. When, however, one not only hears the children in the Christian Science Sunday schools explaining why man has dominion over sin, sickness, and discord, but also sees them proving what they say by healing themselves and others when necessary, it is clear that there can be nothing in the nature of complicated arguments or involved reasoning in Christian Science. With this unanswerable logic—the logic of practical demonstration—these children are proving that sickness and discord are not real; that is, do not exist in the perfect creation of God.

The critic also implies that Christian Science does not show that love for humanity expressed by Christ Jesus. Those, however, who know even a little of the practise of Christian Science realize that no statement could well be more inaccurate. I would ask for what other reason than out of love for humanity and a desire to free mankind from the bondage of sin and sickness are Christian Scientists willing, at any hour of the day or night, to go to the bedside of those anxious to have the help of Christian Science, and there calmly to realize the omnipotence, omnipresence, and love of Him "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases," until the sense of suffering is replaced by a grateful recognition of the great truth that a correct understanding of God, good, includes no necessity for suffering, and proves that neither sickness nor sin forms part of the divine economy, and the patient is healed.

The two greatest commandments Jesus the Christ declared to be, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," and "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." It may be said that on these is based the practise of Christian Science. Christian Scientists realize that they are able to apply the teachings given to the world by Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" only in proportion to their understanding of and obedience to these two so comprehensive statements.

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