Article November 28, 1914 Issue

In denouncing a public display of views on religious subjects...

Frank Bell—Scranton, Pa.

Tribune-Republican

In denouncing a public display of views on religious subjects not in accord with his own, a speaker quoted in a recent issue goes out of his way to indulge in a number of irrelevant and inaccurate references to Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science. To classify Mrs. Eddy with those who have undertaken to "build a new faith" or to discuss her capability in that respect, is not justifiable, for the reason that Mrs. Eddy never pretended to do such a thing. Christian Science was given to the world as a restatement of vital but neglected phases of primitive Christianity, and it is so accepted by all who understand it.

Instead of being "alike in method" to those with whom our friend has mistakenly assigned her in his discourse, it should be said of Mrs. Eddy that, whereas the others referred to have sought to set up systems at best merely doctrinal or theoretical, her writings and teachings are characterized by her insistence on the value of demonstrable knowledge, as compared with professional faith or belief. Her contribution to mankind is a method by which the scientific efficacy of religion is brought within the range of individual proof. Thus the genuine Christian Scientist strives to be, not one who believes good, but one who knows and does good.

In the magnitude of its first half century the Christian Science movement is of itself the best answer to the suggestion that its Founder's system was destructive rather than constructive. Those who reject her teachings will not admit she has destroyed anything for them, and her followers are unanimously of the opinion that all that has been destroyed in their case was the veriest mental rubbish ; whereas, constructively, Christian Science has done wonders for them. There is no reason for associating Mrs. Eddy with those who have laid claim to exclusive or monopolistic revelations. That sort of thing is especially repudiated by Christian Science, which contends for the universality and impersonality of truth.

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