Article April 8, 1916 Issue

The confidence and cock-sureness with which our critic...

Burton H. Wade

Buffalo (N. Y.) Express

The confidence and cock-sureness with which our critic makes his statements regarding religion and theology is quite refreshing, to say the least. It is strange that he found among the vast number in existence even six denominations with which he could work conscientiously. He condemns nearly every religious organization known, and seems to be bent on tearing down,—and we admit there is much that needs tearing down,—but he offers nothing constructive in its stead, unless it be a long string of Bible quotations, which at least prove his familiarity with that good book, but which, without understanding, would give little solace to a sick man or one burdened with sin.

Among the recent articles by this writer appearing in the Express, was one in which he tells of the healing of a brother minister some twelve years ago through the efficacy of prayer, and he mentions two other instances in which he is confident healing was consummated through prayer. This we do not doubt; but why go back all those years to cite a case? Why is he not healing the sick now, today? The power of God cannot be limited to time or place, and opportunity is not lacking. If the method or rule for healing by prayer was discovered by this brother, why has he not given it to the world? Surely, suffering humanity needs all the enlightenment in this direction it can get.

Christian Science seems to be the special object of this critic's animus, and against it he aims his strongest shafts. He quotes frequently from the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, but not always correctly and usually in detached statements, which, when separated from their context, prove nothing and are unjust to the author. Christian Science does not deny the seeming existence or reality of evil to the senses, or consciousness, of the one who is enthralled in its meshes, but it does deny the reality of evil in the "kingdom of God," which Jesus said "is within you," within the consciousness of the spiritual man, which is the only real man there is. In Genesis we read, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him." And did not Jesus say of the mortal or carnal man, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. . . . When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it;" showing the whole scheme of mortal existence to be a deception and fraud.

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