Article September 23, 1916 Issue

A prosecuting attorney with the privilege of formulating...

Thomas E. Boland in

The Coatesville (Pa.) Record

A prosecuting attorney with the privilege of formulating not only his questions but also the replies of witnesses, ought usually to be able to make out a poor record for the other side, however much he might violate justice in the process. Our courts would not think of tolerating such a travesty on fairness and justice. The evangelist quoted in a recent issue uses precisely this method, however, in an attack on Christian Science.

Every thinking person is aware of the great change in popular opinion relative to the doctrine of future punishment. If Christian Science is to be criticized for not teaching the plan of punishing sin by endless torture in eternal fire in a place in charge of a malignant personal devil,—the whole arrangement being according to the purpose of God,—then numerous members of orthodox churches who are unable to accept such a view of Deity must also be included in the criticism. The fact is, people are not able to reconcile this fearful program with the Biblical teaching of God as good, as merciful, just, loving, as "our Father which art in heaven." On page 230 of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy has expressed a much higher concept of Deity : "It would be contrary to our highest ideas of God to suppose Him capable of first arranging law and causation so as to bring about certain evil results, and then punishing the helpless victims of His volition for doing what they could not avoid doing."

It must not be assumed, however, that Christian Science lends color to the mistaken supposition that sin can be indulged in and no penalty experienced. Nothing could be further from the fact. This has been made clear by Mrs. Eddy on page 327 of Science and Health : "The way to escape the misery of sin is to cease sinning. There is no other way." To sin is bring inevitable suffering, and this punishment continues until the hideous nature of sin is detected and its victim turns from it with loathing. Christian Science teaches exactly the false nature of sin, its mistaken sense of pleasure, and its powerlessness over mankind when it is seen for what it really is. This opens the door of hope to the most despairing.

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A prosecuting attorney with the privilege of formulating...

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