Article January 23, 1915 Issue

In the report of Mr.—'s sermon, I find that this evangelist...

John L. Rendall

The Des Moines (Iowa) News

In the report of Mr.—'s sermon, I find that this evangelist took occasion gratuitously to assail the teachings of Christian Science. It is of course plainly evident that in his arraignment he speaks from the bias of prejudice and ignorance of those things which Christian Science is endeavoring to teach, and he therefore permits himself to use intemperate denunciations, a practice which from the standpoint of right-thinking people is somewhat incompatible with the religion of Jesus Christ that he professes. It is of course vain and without much by way of results to enter into a discussion of theological differences of opinion, and where one's view-point is that of crass materialism it is perhaps expecting a great deal to reconcile this with the spiritual ideals which are so plainly taught in the Christian Science religion.

Covering this point, St. Paul states that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." The two standpoints being diametrically opposed, there is no possible point of agreement between the critic's concept of Christian Science and Christian Science as it really is. I will therefore not attempt to enter into a general denial of his misstatements, but will say Christian Scientists do not deny the reality of anything that is real in God's kingdom; rather do they affirm its reality on the only possible basis, namely, the spiritual.

It may be true that the Christian Science teachings differ from the peculiar theological views held to by the critic. They do not, however, differ from the teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Scriptures. Neither is there in the Christian Science teachings any warrant for the assumption that sin may be indulged without suffering the consequences. Everywhere in the teachings of Christian Science it is very clearly brought out that sin brings its own punishment, and that if one would be free from the consequences of sin, he must cease sinning. Christian Science teaches the highest ideals of morality and Christian living. This is abundantly proved in the individual lives and characters of those people who adhere to it. The drunkard has been reformed, the sick have been healed, and those filled with hopelessness and despair have been given the positive, certain knowledge of God's infinite ever-presence and all-power. These are the fruits of Christian Science, and Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

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