Article October 4, 1913 Issue

In a report of a sermon in a recent issue is a statement...

Henry Deutsch—Duluth, Minn.

The Herald

In a report of a sermon in a recent issue is a statement with reference to Christian Science. I desire to say that the teaching of Christian Science is very unlike that of New Thought, spiritualism, or theosophy. Christian Scientists respect the right of other people to believe in their particular faith or doctrine, and do not assume to judge or condemn them therefor. While we may not agree with their views or practises, we concede to them the respect to which they are entitled in their religious beliefs, as guaranteed to all American citizens under the constitution of our country.

So far as the further statement about Christian Science is concerned, I might say that mere words or personal statements are not proof. Our Master said, "Love your enemies," and it is a very simple question to determine which are the greater enemies of the Christ—those who consistently follow and earnestly and sincerely strive to emulate the teachings and works of the Master, or those who profess to do so and spend their time in condemnation and persecution of those who are unfortunate (?) enough to be unable to agree with their particular creed or doctrine. It must be remembered that Christianity derives its name from Jesus the Christ, and a Christian is described as one who follows the teachings of Jesus. He defined what constituted, in his judgment, a true religionist, or one to whom might be guaranteed eternal life, which is the summum bonum. When he was asked, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" he did not prescribe any creed or doctrine, or a belief, but he referred his questioner to the rule of the older Scripture: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself."

It must be remembered also that when he was asked by the disciples sent by John whether or not he was the Messiah or Christ, he did not formulate a doctrine or creed or make any statement of tenets or belief; his answer indicated the test of the Christian, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." At another time he exemplified the fact that others besides himself or his followers might also be manifesting the God spirit as shown in the passage in Mark ix. 38-40.

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