Editorial December 25, 1915 Issue

Separate and Distinct

Archibald McLellan

As Christian Science differs so radically from all other religious and healing systems, it is not strange that there should have grown up a misconception of Christian Scientists which pictures them as what might be termed one-idea enthusiasts, who have individually arrayed themselves against every person that holds views different from those which they themselves hold. Mrs. Eddy's attitude on this subject is shown in the very brief paragraph on page 99 of Science and Health as follows: "Those individuals, who adopt theosophy, spiritualism, or hypnotism, may possess natures above some others who eschew their false beliefs. Therefore my contest is not with the individual, but with the false system. I love mankind, and shall continue to labor and to endure."

In various other places in her voluminous writings Mrs. Eddy has expressed the same Christian sentiments toward individuals of every shade of religious and medical belief. Needless to say, Christian Scientists are thoroughly in accord with these views of their Leader, and while they do not accept nor subscribe to any religious or medical theories which are in opposition to Christian Science, still they have the utmost consideration and respect for every individual who is sincerely and honestly advocating or practising that which he believes to be true, or of value to mankind. The person who is undulging hatred of another because of divergent views about religion, medicine, or any other subject, is coming far short of the teachings of Christian Science.

All of this is preliminary to calling attention to the reasons why it became necessary for Mrs. Eddy to establish Christian Science as a religious system separate and distinct from the churches already constituted, and also as a healing system separate and distinct from so-called regular medical systems. Perhaps nowhere in her writings does she give these reasons more concisely than on page 9 of "Unity of Good," where she Writes: "Healing has gone on continually; yet healing, as I teach it, has not been practised since the days Christ," and "by knowing the unreality of disease, sin, and death, you demonstrate the allness of God. This difference wholly separates my system from all others. The reality of these so-called existences I deny, because they are not to be found in God, and this system is built on Him as the sole cause. It would be difficult to name any previous teachers, save Jesus and his apostles, who have thus taught."

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