Article September 4, 1915 Issue

According to statements made in two sermons on Christian Science...

Frank Bell—Hazleton, Pa.

The Standard,

According to statements made in two sermons on Christian Science which were reported in your paper, it appears that we should "prove all things; hold fast that which is good," but should beware of reading the literature of Christian Science. The author of the sermons added that if a copy of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, in his hand were his own and not a borrowed volume, he would gladly have burned it, so that it might never be read; the inference being, of course, that it would be a good thing if every piece of Christian Science literature in existence were destroyed, so that no one anywhere might be able to read what Christian Scientists have to say in explanation of their religion. How the process of proving all things is to be facilitated by suppressing a portion of the proof is not made clear in the sermons. We do not believe the good pastor really wishes to place himself in the ranks of the book burners, because doubtless he has read religious history and knows where they invariably have stood and how they invariably have failed.

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good," is a favorite text with Christian Scientists, and they urge its fullest application. It is their best assurance of the correctness of their own position; their strongest answer when charged with beliefs and practices which unprejudiced investigation will show to be without justification in fact. For instance, when an attempt is made publicly to discredit Christian Science by picturing Mrs. Eddy in uncomplimentary and unkind terms, Christian Scientists are aware that thinking persons will at once detect the irreconcilable difference between an alleged individual as thus described and the good works which Mrs. Eddy is known to have accomplished through her teachings and writings and through the institutions she established. Among those who heard or read the recent sermons, there must have been some who observed that one whose example inspired her followers to "occupy their minds with thoughts of purity, kindness, and love," could not have been herself the personification of opposite qualities. Others no doubt appreciated the incongruity of the admission in one place that Christian Science is to be thanked for "having reemphasized some important and helpful truths," and the subsequent attempt to prove that it "has not a single intelligible idea in it."

Statements made in the recent sermons against that which our good friend mistakenly supposes to be Christian Science, have been made many, many times since first this movement began to assume substantial proportions. Nevertheless it has gone right on, until today its church organizations, numbering something more than fifteen hundred, are to be found in virtually every country in the world, and are increasing at a rapid rate, nearly one hundred having been organized during the past year. One reason for this undoubtedly is the ease with which any one hearing such attacks may ascertain for himself that actual Christian Science is not at all the grotesque and reprehensible thing described. Correct literature on the subject is freely obtainable almost anywhere, and there is scarcely a community nowadays in which one may not find sincere, earnest, sensible men and women who cheerfully testify that through Christian Science they have been restored from sickness to health. Others have been rescued from sinful habits and tendencies. Many have acquired a satisfying knowledge of God, have been prompted to read and study the Bible much more than ever before and enabled to understand it better, have become more loving and charitable and considerate, have found increased capacity for labor or business or professional work, and have been transformed into better citizens and better Christians. Christian Science asks to be judged by its fruits and fears comparison with no other system on that basis. Christian Scientists do not consider it necessary to rush into public controversy in defense of a cause which so effectively defends itself.

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