Article May 26, 1917 Issue

The editor makes the assertion that I "admit that denial...

B. F. Chandler

Norton (Va.) Reporter

The editor makes the assertion that I "admit that denial is the principle on which Christian Science turns." I wish to correct that assertion; first, because it is not true, and second, because what I did say was, "A Christian Scientist certainly does deny the evidence of the senses whenever such evidence contradicts ... Scriptural teaching," which is quite another thing. Possibly a daily experience common to all of us may serve as an example to show the difference.

The evidence of the senses informs us that the sun is revolving around the earth, but we know better, and, declining to be deceived by sense-testimony, we deny the evidence. Then, should one say that denial is the principle on which astronomy turns? No reasonable person would say such a thing, but rather that the principle upon which astronomy turns is a correct understanding of the movements of the heavenly bodies and their relation to each other. So it is with Christian Science. That on which it turns is a correct understanding of the nature of God and His creation, including man; and when sense-testimony, human belief, is not in accord with the demonstrable facts of creation, we deny it just as you deny that the sun revolves around the earth.

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