Article July 12, 1913 Issue

Our critic has an unusually large number of misconceptions...

William Clarence Ferguson

The Calgary (Alberta) Herald

Our critic has an unusually large number of misconceptions concerning the teachings of Christian Science. The first point to which he takes exception, as being contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures, is that relative to the visiting of the sins of the fathers upon the children. In connection with this point I would like to refer to that saying of Jesus: "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Now, Christian Science holds this declaration to be a fact. Its teachings maintain that there is one Father, or creative Principle, and as this Father never committed any sin, His children cannot suffer. It also teaches that one does not suffer for another's sins.

Next, our critic declares that Christian Science teaches that "all unlawful desire may be conquered by simply learning that the objects of our passion are not good for us." Nothing could be further from the teachings of Christian Science. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, we read: "This conviction, that there is no real pleasure in sin, is one of the most important points in the theology of Christian Science"(p. 404). It is maintained that there is no real pleasure or happiness to be obtained from the gratification of the senses, and that as soon as this fact is perceived the desire for the gratification leaves spontaneously.

Possibly an illustration may be of value in explaining the operation of this law. A small boy takes a great deal of pleasure in playing marbles, but as he develops and becomes interested in more useful occupations, he no longer sees any pleasure in playing marbles, and consequently quits. And so it is with the man who believes he finds pleasure in the gratification of the senses; as his mind becomes filled with more lofty ideals he begins to see that there is no real or lasting pleasure in sense gratification, and as a consequence he cares for those things no longer.

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