Article December 6, 1913 Issue

In the editorial relative to Christian Science there is...

Paul Stark Seeley

Malheur (Ore.) Enterprise

In the editorial relative to Christian Science there is sounded a note of impatience because of the uncompromising stand which Christian Science takes in accepting as its basis, without reservation, the Biblical teaching that God is Spirit and the natural corollary that man and the universe created by Him are in reality spiritual. It is even hinted that Christian Science is becoming dogmatic and intolerant. Let me state with emphasis that Christian Scientists have no desire to judge or condemn the religious beliefs of their fellows. Their wish is rather to make known what Christian Science really teaches, and so prevent the spread of false opinions concerning it which might be gained if misstatements were allowed to pass uncorrected. Surely this is asking but fair play, and if in stating the facts Christian Science seems to differ from present-day orthodoxy, it cannot, because of that, be justly termed dogmatic or its adherents be called intolerant.

The road to truth was described by the Master in significant metaphor as straight and narrow, and it is only because of the earnest desire to follow in this way, thus avoiding the pitfalls of that other life road of which he said, "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction," that Christian Scientists hold steadfastly to spiritual reality in thought and argument, and seem perhaps to give scant consideration in their religious belief to the material creation, the opposite of the spiritual, or God-created.

It is stated in the editorial referred to, that "we only surmise what spirituality is and what it means," yet Paul said, "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Surely mankind is not to be forever under a cloud of uncertainly and ignorance, surmising about but never finding true life and peace. In another passage the apostle well explained the meaning of the words "spiritually minded" by his admonition to "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," even the consciousness that understood God as Love, and acknowledged no other power; that recognized God's ever-presence and His consequent ability to heal disease and dissipate the shadows of earthly woe. It was this spiritual-mindedness which recognized good as supreme and refused to compromise with the world's belief in another and evil power. It was this sense of Mind-power that healed the sick and raised the dead, not alone in Jesus' time, but for several centuries thereafter; and it is this same spiritual sense that is enabling Christian Scientists today to do the healing works which Jesus commanded his followers to do. The apostle advised the early Christians to "prove all things," and to "hold fast that which is good;" and Jesus said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing." Christian Science is proclaiming not only by words, but by deeds, that the truth of spiritual being taught and demonstrated by Jesus and his followers is true now and always, and is ever available to every earnest seeker after truth who is willing to let the Christ-mind take the place of carnal mentality and the mortal give place to the spiritual and immortal. The ranks of the Christian Scientists are made up almost entirely of those who sought healing from sin or disease, or surcease from sorrow, or relief from the heavy burdens of care. Most of them had tried the old systems and beliefs to their utmost, and only in desperation turned to that system which not only believes in God as Love, but proves this eternal fact in breaking the yoke of material bondage. In leaving their old beliefs in sin and sickness and in accepting without compromise the Biblical truth that God is Spirit, and man is like Him, Christian Scientists understand that they are but following the admonition of Paul's enlightened thought to "put off the old man with his deeds" and "put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."

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In the editorial relative to Christian Science there is...

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