Article June 28, 1913 Issue

A few things need to be said, briefly, with respect to...

Frank Bell—Williamsport, Pa.

Gazette and Bulletin

A few things need to be said, briefly, with respect to several quotations in a recent issue of your paper, in which the name of Christian Science was associated with conceptions entirely contrary to its teachings. For instance, no one who is really a Christian Scientist ever could have said material things were merely imaginary, because that sort of explanation of Christian Science finds circulation only among jesters and those who wilfully or in ignorance misrepresent other people's beliefs. The expert behind the bank counter does not brand as imaginary the counterfeit silver dollar which an uninformed patron proffers in good faith; he merely pronounces it not a real dollar. Christian Science gives an explanation of matter as in the nature of a counterfeit of the true spiritual creation, and this enables the learner at least to begin to rid himself of some of matter's deceptive claims to the power to hinder his natural and rightful growth and dominion. Christian Science is not concerned with denying that matter is relatively real to the perception comprised in what are termed the five physical senses. The bank patron above referred to will waste no time considering the constituents of the bogus coin, once he actually learns it is not a dollar. His protection from this fraudulent thing is accomplished as soon as knowledge of its not being what it appears to be has enabled him to assume a right mental attitude toward it.

Christian Scientists work, play, eat, sleep, clothe, and house themselves as do their fellows in this world; only with a better knowledge of the nature of things and a larger freedom from the ills of material existence than they enjoyed before. In their daily affairs they are encountering renewed proofs of the truth of the teachings of their adopted religion, and Christian Science makes no other demands on their allegiance; that is to say, it requires no profession not founded on individual demonstration. Much of such misunderstanding of Christian Science as has remained in the public thought is due to careless attempts to set forth its teaching. As an illustration, the recent statement that Mrs. Eddy says "good is mind," conveys not the slightest intimation of her meaning. In the expression in the Christian Science text-book (see Science and Health, p. 113), the word "mind" is capitalized and is used as a synonym of Deity; in other words, God, good, is intelligence, a perfectly sensible and reasonable statement.

Those who wish to be really informed as to what Christian Science has to offer will consult its official literature, which may be freely obtained in the public reading-rooms maintained by its churches everywhere.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

A few things need to be said, briefly, with respect to...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access