After carefully reading the published sermon of the Rev. Dr.—...

Wilmington (Del.) Morning News

After carefully reading the published sermon of the Rev. Dr.—in a recent issue of your paper, the writer was filled with gratitude that no place is provided in the Christian Science service for a prejudiced discussion, misrepresentation, or perversion of any religion. He rejoiced that the reading of the Holy Scriptures, and an exposition thereof, has been found more satisfying to thousands of worshipers than to have the opinions of many minds on many subjects exploited by not a few of those filling the positions of ministers of the gospel. It has not been a great many years since, among those who occupied the pulpits, some found sufficient Scriptural authority, as they thought, to uphold with religious vehemence human slavery; and it is regrettable that all the religious strife of the ages has been over the question of doctrines, whereas all the exhortations of the Master implied that the test of Christianity is in works and not in professions.

If there were more of the preaching of the gospel, as called for by the Lord's commission,—"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ... And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover,"—would not the result be today, as it was of yore, "And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following"?

Before attempting the correction of some of the presentations made in the sermon, let it be stated that a large number of those who have accepted Christian Science had earnestly sought and endeavored to be satisfied with what they had been taught in the various denominations. They attended the services, read their Bibles, prayed earnestly, took communion, conferred with their pastors, and for all these privileges they are not lacking in gratitude. They are not ungrateful for the earnest, faithful efforts on the part of their former teachers, as well as their own, to find the way to the divine power that should meet their spiritual, mental, and physical needs, or for the good they found in their previous religious teaching. But these hungering and thirsting ones needed something that their religious experiences had not been able to satisfy, and with joyful and glad hearts they testify to the clearer light, the more spiritual interpretation, the better understanding of the efficacious life of Christ Jesus, and through Christ a closer walk and communion with their God. Whether or not it has come within the good doctor's observation, there is abundant published testimony outside of the publications of the Christian Science movement, that Christian Scientists are a happy, healthy body of people; that taken as a whole they are good citizens, and that the world is better for their presence and their activities.

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