Article February 10, 1917 Issue

To most people a fair way by which to judge any system...

Thomas F. Watson—San Francisco, Cal.

The Pacific

To most people a fair way by which to judge any system of religion would be by the results it brings or the effect it has on the lives of its adherents; but not so with our critic, for he concludes that the vast throng of people benefited by Christian Science improved "in spite of its shortcomings."

The Master said, however, "Every tree is known by his own fruit;" and when one considers the overwhelming proof Christian Science furnishes, not only of the healing of physical disease but of the redemption from sin as well, one marvels that our friend the minister should fail to see that a system based on "absurdities," whose language is a "jargon," whose method of Scriptural exegesis is incorrect, could not possibly heal the sick and sinful as Christian Science is doing, for as the Bible says in the seventh chapter of Matthew, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." He attributes this healing to "the laws of suggestion," which he says are also "the laws of God." That which can be used for an evil purpose, as suggestion has been known to be used, cannot be classed as the law of God, and Christian Science is diametrically opposed to all forms of mental suggestion, hypnotism, and mesmerism.

It is easy to ridicule that which one does not understand, and our critic acknowledges that he finds "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" "exceedingly grotesque and humorous," yet he admits that Christian Science (to use his own words) "teaches people to live above fear and worry; ... banishes hatred, and enables one to live in the present peace and joy;" and he sums it all up by declaring that "Christian Science has, to thousands of men and women, made God for the first time a present reality, a source of comfort, peace, and power." Truly this book Science and Health, which our critic pronounces "naive and crude," whose "jargon" he cannot speak, is admittedly accomplishing results, but he tells us this is "in spite of all its absurdities." Christian Science does more than heal certain "temperamental types;" it heals all manner of disease and sin.

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