Article January 6, 1917 Issue

A recent issue gave a report of a so-called Anti-Infidel League...

S. T. Downs—Evansville, Ind.

The Courier

A recent issue gave a report of a so-called Anti-Infidel League and stated that a convention would be held in the near future to perfect an organization, the object being to oppose the progress of a number of movements, including Christian Science. To the average person the word infidel conveys the thought of "rejecting the Christian ... religion;" "disbelief in God;" "disbelief in the Bible;" and this is evidently the meaning intended in the use of the word in the title of the new organization. A great many people who are still members of the older churches know from personal investigation that such a charge against Christian Science is absurd, and under any circumstances the activities of the league can but stimulate an investigation on the part of large numbers who want to know the truth, and who will test for themselves and learn: first, that Christian Science iterates and reiterates in countless ways the allness and oneness of God; second, that Christian Science is based on the teachings and works of Christ Jesus; and third, that the first religious tenet of Christian Science reads, "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life" (Science and Health, p. 497). It will be seen that, so far as Christian Science is concerned, such an organization as the proposed Anti-Infidel League must in the end defeat itself.

The great Master gave very definite instructions as to what his followers should do in the way of preaching the gospel and healing the sick, and these are clearly set forth in the New Testament. It is noteworthy that he laid no more stress on preaching than he did on healing, and he gave this unfailing test of discipleship: "By their fruits ye shall know them." I want to apply this test given by the Master to the charges of "fraud," "deception," "cunning devices to obtain money under false pretense," "secret attack," and the like, that the promoters of the League make in their announcement, by pointing to the fact that through the works of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, thousands, yes hundreds of thousands, have been led to a systematic, diligent study of the Bible, and practically every disease known to humanity has been healed. These healings include such diseases as cancer and tumor, after skilled physicians said they could do no more. There have been large numbers of people healed of tuberculosis in its last stages. Indisputable evidence is to be had of the healing of epilepsy after physicians had diagnosed the disease as hereditary and beyond all help. There have been almost countless numbers of healings of drunkenness, poverty, discordant homes, dishonesty, dementia, and the like. These healings have been accomplished among people in all walks of life, including physicians, attorneys, ministers, capitalists, bankers, manufacturers, merchants, salespeople, clerks, and laborers. It is significant that Christ Jesus not only gave the test of discipleshing already referred to, but he asked this question: "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"

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