Article October 19, 1918 Issue

The indulgence in public denunciation of the honest religious...

Robert G. Steel—Ypsilanti, Mich.

Ypsilantian Press

The indulgence in public denunciation of the honest religious convictions of others by a visiting clergyman, as reported in the Press, may gratify a whim of the critic, but is hardly in keeping with the spirit of Christian exemplified by Christ Jesus, and is surely not in line with the conduct usually expected of ministers of the gospel. The statements made regarding Christian Science are so far from the truth as to call for correction.

If the critic read from the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, as he is reported to have done in order to show that its teachings are at variance with the Bible, he must have been guilty of using the old, familiar method of deception well loved by clerical critics, whereby phrases and sentences are so separated from their immediate context as to distort their meaning. Christian Scientists love the Bible and study it daily in conjunction with their textbook. Only by such study, imbibing and practicing its true spirit, could they be Christian Scientists. Thus it is that Christian Science has made more earnest students of the Scriptures than any other single agency. Surely a teaching producing such results is entitled to the name of Christian.

Unfortunately for our critic, he falls into the usual error of believing that because Christian Science may be at variance with this particular type of theological teaching and of the doctrines of a "historic Christian church," it cannot be based on the Bible and is in contradiction thereto. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, is perhaps a more reliable authority on the subject of the foundation of her discovery than is anyone else, and on page 109 of Science and Health she writes as follows: "For three years after my discovery, I sought the solution of this problem of Mind-healing, searched the Scriptures and read little else, kept aloof from society, and devoted time and energies to discovering a positive rule. The search was sweet, calm, and buoyant with hope, not selfish nor depressing. I knew the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God, and that cures were produced in primitive Christian healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute conclusionsthrough divine revelation, reason, and demonstration." Continuing on page 110 she says, "In following these leadings of scientific revelation, the Bible was my only textbook."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Under the caption "Deceptions and Humbugs" you...