Article March 29, 1913 Issue

Readers of a recent issue of the Telegraph were made...

Ezra W. Palmer

Colorado Springs (Col.) Telegraph

Readers of a recent issue of the Telegraph were made aware that an Episcopalian minister of Denver had again shown his dislike for Christian Science by denouncing it from his pulpit. For a number of years this gentleman has attracted considerable notoriety by his periodical outbursts against this religion. Meanwhile Christian Science, as given to the world by Mrs. Eddy, pursues the even tenor of its way, leavening and uplifting the thought of humanity, and bringing the healing power of Christ to the sick, the sorrowful, the wretched, and the poverty-stricken. The denunciations of this critic do not appear to have seriously impeded its progress. A world-wide movement, as Christian Science is, can be adequately judged only by a broad and clear vision. To condemn it for dogmatic or sectarian reasons will avail nothing. It will be remembered that the heads of the ecclesiastical system of Judea failed utterly to understand Jesus or to gain any true concept of his mission. They deemed that his teachings disturbed their supremacy, and this was sufficient to insure his condemnation. While Christian Scientist may be temporarily annoyed by the accusations of this critic, they are well aware that the healing work of Christian Science goes on just the same, and its steady progress is no more impeded than is the mighty Mississippi by a whirling chip in a swirl along the shore.

A few months ago a pamphlet was circulated from this critic's church, announcing that Christian Science was on the wane, and that the Christian Scientists of Denver were unable to go on with the building of one of their churches. Today the church is occupied by a large congregation and its edifice will be completed within a reasonable period. Recently the New York Morning Telegraph, commenting on the lack of attendance at orthodox churches, said: "Christian Scientists of this city make no such complaint; there is hardly room enough in some of their churches to accommodate the crowds who wish to attend the week-night meetings and Sunday services." This comment hardly bears out our critic's recent pronunciamento that Christian Science is on the wane.

This clergyman's latest diatribe declares against any revelation of the divine purpose to Mrs. Eddy. It is interesting to note that the newspaper account of his address contains no Scriptural reference in support of this contention. Jesus clearly pointed out that his genuine followers in all ages would grow in understanding and do the mighty works he performed. The prophet Joel foretold the time when the spirit of God would be poured out upon all flesh. Mrs. Eddy's position, therefore, that a scientific knowledge of God came to her through reason, revelation, and the study of the Bible, has ample Scriptural warrant. The gentleman's association of Christian Science with Mormonism, with which it has no common basis, aptly illustrates his reckless use of language when dealing with topics beyond the limits of his theology.

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