In a recent issue of the Republic there appeared a report...

The St. Louis (Mo.) Republic

In a recent issue of the Republic there appeared a report of an address by the rector of the Church of the Ascension, in which he is quoted as including Christian Science in what he considers to be "freak manifestations of misdirected power." Our critic's phraseology is unfortunate to say the least. So to characterize the healing of the sick and the reformation of the sinner, as accomplished in Christian Science, is to ignore the fact that the only power recognized and relied upon by the Christian Scientist is the power of God. It is inconceivable that this power, inseparable as it is from infinite wisdom, could be misdirected or result in anything abnormal.

The purpose of the Church of Christ, Scientist, as stated by its Founder in its Manual (p. 17), is "to commemorate the word and works of our Master," to "reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing;" and to the thousands who have found freedom from suffering and deliverance from sin in Christian Science, criticism of this character is necessarily futile. It could be quietly ignored if it were not apt to mislead those in need of what Christian Science has to offer. There is only one basis on which any one is competent to judge Christian Science, and that is a demonstrable understanding of its teachings. When this is attained, criticism is superseded by the glad recognition that the power of God is as available today as it ever was for the complete and present redemption of mankind.

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