Article August 8, 1914 Issue

Referring to a recent issue, I would say that Dr.—, an...

George Shaw Cook

Canton (Ill.) Register

Referring to a recent issue, I would say that Dr.—, an evangelist, seems to have vainly endeavored to practise what he mistakenly termed Christian Science, in asking his hearers to imagine that the vacant seats at his revival were filled. Aside from the fact that Christian Science treatment is vastly different from exercise of the imagination, it may be said that, generally speaking, if it were necessary for Christian Scientists to imagine anything with respect to their church services, it would be that there were seats enough to accommodate those who wish to attend. Christian Science church services are generally crowded by those who come, not because of anything they have imagined, but because of what they have known. This Christian knowledge, they find, is liberating them from bondage to sickness and sin, and they are glad to go where they can learn more of the truth that makes free.

At another time the critic, as quoted in another issue, displays lack of familiarity with or understanding of Christian Science by his reference to its teachings concerning the atonement. Christian Science teaches its adherents to "pray without ceasing," and constantly to seek a higher and better understanding of the true nature of God and of man in His likeness. Furthermore, it requires the demonstrations of this understanding in right thinking and right living. Such thinking inevitably results in the lessening of sin and disease. This is the practical atonement, or "exemplification of man's unity with God" (Science and Health, p. 18), and Christian Scientists believe that in no other way can they realize the full import of what has been mistakenly regarded as the vicarious atonement of Jesus the Christ. Only by following his example can we avail ourselves of the atonement of Christ Jesus, which was in fact the perfect demonstration of man's at-one-ment with God, and this rendering of the word atonement is not used by Mrs. Eddy alone, but is being given by modern scholars as the correct translation.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

"The Lord our God is one Lord"