Article June 21, 1913 Issue

The Bishop of Calgary, some time ago, condemned Christian Science...

William Clarence Ferguson

Calgary (Alberta) Herald

The Bishop of Calgary, some time ago, condemned Christian Science as unchristian. It is quite apparent from his statement that the bishop has been misinformed on this subject, for the authorized teachings of Christian Science are not unchristian. On page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, which book is the authority on this subject, we find this statement: "We solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure." Is there anything in this promise to which any one can take exception as being contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures? Is it unchristian to "pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus," to observe the golden rule, or "to be merciful, just, and pure"? To this declaration every person who is joining the Christian Science church is asked to subscribe, and it is the rule by which he strives to govern the actions of his daily life. Now, in all honesty, is any person, regardless of his religious belief, and regardless of the form his religious observances may take, who abides by, or who even makes a sincere attempt to abide by, the lofty declarations of purpose found in that short paragraph, deserving of the condemnation of any other Christian?

The bishop is quoted as follows: "I cannot understand how any one who is in this church today, joining in this beautiful service of praise and thanksgiving, can become allied with a so-called religion that robs the Saviour we worship of his divinity." Now, Christian Science does not rob the Saviour of his divinity. A most emphatic declaration on this very subject is made in the text-book previously referred to, on page 497, which reads: "We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness." Does that statement deny the divinity of the Christ? Rather, does it not, in the most forcible and unexceptionable language, affirm his divinity? Hence, since this is not the opinion of some one concerning Christian Science, but is an unqualified statement of its teachings, taken from the one authority on that subject, would it not appear that the bishop had been grossly misinformed about it?

Mention was also made of "three persons who last year were made members of the Anglican church, who had given up their Christianity and joined the Christian Scientists." No mention, however, was made of the reason for the action taken by these persons, nor was any mention made of the benefits they had experienced through Christian Science. Yet it was not denied that these people had received help through its application; and this is not strange, for, regardless of the prejudice against what he thinks Christian Science teaches, one cannot deny the fact that it does heal the sick, reform the sinner, and make happy and prosperous citizens out of miserable and poverty-stricken humanity. To be convinced of this fact one has only to observe the lives of the multitudes of rejoicing people who have received the wonderful blessings which are daily and hourly being bestowed through the application of Christian Science.

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June 21, 1913
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