Article November 22, 1913 Issue

A speaker before the Ministerial Association of your city...

Ezra W. Palmer—Pueblo, Col.

The Star-Journal

A speaker before the Ministerial Association of your city declared that a Christian Scientist was "quick to switch to some hobby, some particular line of thought, some special teaching of the gospel." The critic did not state in what particular a Christian Scientist followed some hobby, so it is difficult to understand what he meant. He may be reminded, however, that the gospel of Christ Jesus is essentially the following of a "particular line of thought." Jesus declared, "Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." The Master further defined the manner of following this particular teaching by declaring that he did what he saw the Father do. What did he do? He healed sickness and destroyed sin, and made clear that his followers would prove their understanding of his teaching by doing the same works. Christian Science reinstates the full message of Jesus to the world. It heals the sick as well as reforms the sinner. If this be a "hobby," as the critic terms it, he is welcome to make the most of it.

The above speaker pointed out several things he deemed essential to a modern church; but his address signally failed to take cognizance of a vitally important feature of Jesus' teaching, and that was the healing of the sick. Does he for a moment imagine that a Christian church can really fulfil its mission when it ignores this teaching of Jesus? And yet he criticizes Christian Science, presumably because it follows the commands of the great Teacher. He called attention to the great number of new religions. Does not this increase point a moral? If the church throughout the ages had been true to the teachings of the Master and the apostles, if it had retained the spiritual, scientific knowledge of God manifested in healing both body and mind, is it not reasonable to believe that the number of sects would be fewer? Dogmas, creeds, ecclesiastical systems, mere preaching — the letter without the spirit— fail to satisfy the yearnings of men looking for fellowship with God. The result — men, fed upon husks, break away and, however blindly, seek new light. The reinstatement of the fulness of Christ's gospel should naturally cause the multiplying of sects in a large measure to cease, because men, having found the truth which satisfies, would no longer wander in the by-paths of dogma. This fulness of Christ's gospel is Christian Science, which teaches the allness of God, and makes clear that knowing God aright is the truth which makes men free.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
Healing
November 22, 1913
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit