Article December 13, 1913 Issue

The orthodox minister who has found time to deliver a...

Paul Stark Seeley—Portland, Ore.

The Oregonian

The orthodox minister who has found time to deliver a series of sermons denunciatory of what he believes to be Christian Science, could direct his efforts to a much better purpose. In choosing to attack the religious beliefs of a large number of his fellow men who are endeavoring, with a gratifying degree of success, to reduce the sum total of the world's load of sickness and despair, he displays not only his lack of knowledge of the subject which he assumes to discuss, but a regrettable spirit of intolerance which would, if it could, tear down that which has given to many thousands health in place of sickness, joy instead of sorrow, and peace where discord was before.

In The Oregonian of today the reverend critic is quoted as saying that those who come to Christian Science do so because "they are looking for physical benefits and have not investigated its merits as a religion." Just what the gentleman may regard as the merits of a religion we will not presume to say. He will, we trust, not dispute the truth of the apostle's statement, that "faith, if it hath not works, is dead," or the fairness of that law of evidence applied by the Master to prove the divine origin of his teachings, "The . . . works that I do, bear witness of me;" a thought emphasized again in his Sermon on the Mount, where he showed what he regarded as the test of true Christians, in that pointed verse: "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Christian Scientists ask to have the merits of their religion judged by no lesser standard than that established by Jesus. They hope the critic is willing to apply the same test to his religion.

Until the theologians of the present are able to prove their faith by their works, and so fulfil the unconditional command of the master Christian to "heal the sick," they can gain nothing by attacking a religious system that is willing to accept the Master's every command and to rest the future of its growth not on dogma or creed, but on its ability to bring to the individual, and so to society, better health, better morals, greater happiness, and a clearer and more scientific understanding of God and man.

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
Article
In a recent issue an evangelist is reported to have said,...
December 13, 1913
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit