Article February 13, 1915 Issue

Permit me to refer by way of information to the three criticisms...

Avery Coonley—Freeport, Ill.

Journal-Standard

Permit me to refer by way of information to the three criticisms of Christian Science made by Mr.—,as reported in a recent issue. As to the first of these criticisms, that Christian Science "builds itself up" from the other churches, let me say that while the Christian Science church offers through its publications and its free lectures the opportunity for all who are interested to learn what its teachings are and to compare them with those of Jesus Christ, it is not engaged in the business of building itself up, but of putting into daily practice the precepts of the Master; and it has placed many a hopeless drunkard upon the path of happiness and success. The second criticism is in fact a commendation, for the critic admits the good training of Christian Scientists, but attributes it to the churches from which some of them came, and predicts a reversal in the second generation. He is probably not aware that the Christian Science church has been in existence and thriving for much more than a generation—nearer two. A considerable proportion of those whom he commends are of that second generation, so that his admission serves to refute his prophecy. If by the third criticism, that Christian Scientists have to "backslide to die," the critic refers to the fact that Christian Science shows that it is life and not death that brings us into the kingdom of heaven, and that the road to that state of harmony leads away from both backsliding and dying, we will offer no denial, but refer to Jesus' statement to Martha: "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

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