Article January 17, 1914 Issue

Christian Science, according to the report in a recent issue...

H. Cornell Wilson—Syracuse, N. Y.

The Herald

Christian Science, according to the report in a recent issue of The Herald, is not to the liking of Dr. George P. Eckman, editor of The Christian Advocate of New York. I read that this gentleman even went so far as to express the astonishing opinion that Christian Science "robs Christ of his cross, as well as his crown, and ... puts a fool's cap on the noble brow of science." Entertaining a concept of Christian Science which is without foundation and lacking in truth, it is small wonder that he inveighs against it. Were our critic to study the subject, however, and so gain an understanding of Christian Science, it is more than likely that he too, like others of his ministerial profession, would completely revise this estimate. Mrs. Eddy writes in the text-book of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," that "the sects which endured the lash of their predecessors, in their turn lay it upon those who are in advance of creeds" (p. 239). We may also read that "the cross is the central emblem of history. It is the lodestar in the demonstration of Christian healing,—the demonstration by which sin and sickness are destroyed." "Whoever reaches the understanding of Christian Science in its proper signification will perform the sudden cures of which it is capable; but this can be done only by taking up the cross and following Christ in the daily life" (pp. 238, 178). Our critic has not, I venture to say, read these passages.

"Anciently," as Mrs. Eddy points out, "the followers of Christ, or Truth, measured Christianity by its power over sickness, sin, and death; but modern religions generally omit all but one of these powers,—the power over sin." Then is added, "We must seek the undivided garment, the whole Christ, as our first proof of Christianity, for Christ, Truth, alone can furnish us with absolute evidence" (Science and Health, p. 142). Does not this determination, stated in the words of Mrs. Eddy, furnish the very meaning of Christianity, as well as the correct interpretation of Science? All over the world there are Christians who aver that it does, and that through Christian Science they have found revealed the full meaning of the mission of Jesus the Christ, including also the true significance of "his cross, as well as his crown."

Not long ago a prominent clergyman, in a city near Syracuse, had reason to change his views of Christian Science. In a published statement he said, "Without any acquaintance with Mrs. Eddy or understanding of her teaching, I repeatedly in public, as well as in private, assailed both. Now, knowing more of that Mind which was in Christ Jesus, I am writing with ardent desire that perhaps some one who without knowledge harshly judges Christian Science, may be guided into the way of that charity which 'thinketh no evil.' ... To me Mrs. Eddy's message is the renaissance of Christianity, a return to the simplicity of Jesus' teaching and work, and through this rebirth I have gained an understanding of God which has illumined the teaching of Scripture and interpreted the vital truth of primitive Christianity." Others belonging to different church denominations might be quoted almost without end, if such evidence were needed, to show that our critic is out of agreement regarding Christian Science with many even of his own school of theology.

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