Article July 17, 1915 Issue

"By their fruits"

ALICE FROST LORD

It has sometimes been said by superficial investigators of Christian Science that it is "too easy a religion." The followers of this faith seem to them to have nothing to do but to believe there is no evil, no sin, and that God sees man as perfect. The critics fancy the Christian Scientist privileged by reason of this belief to enjoy his comfortable pew in peace on Sundays, while he may live as he chooses through the week,—selfish, dishonest, revengeful, possibly impure.

How far this conception is from the truth, is known by all who have studied at first hand the literature of Christian Science, or who have known personally the accredited adherents of this faith. It is safe to say that no other Christian denomination is committed to loftier ideals of practical living, nor does any other exact more as proof of the person's spirituality. It is not enough that he attends the services of the church regularly. It is not enough that he never fails to take part in the Wednesday evening meetings. Truth, like a two-edged sword, cleaves profession from practice, if these be not one in the "unity of the faith."

This, indeed, is the crowning glory of Christian Science teaching, as made plain by Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the text-book of this denomination, when she says, "While respecting all that is good in the church or out of it, one's consecration to Christ is more on the ground of demonstration than of profession" (p. 28). In other words, Christian Science summons its followers to do the works that Jesus bade them do,—"heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils."

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