Article May 18, 1918 Issue

As a member of one of the so-called evangelical churches...

Frederick H. Eley

Santa Ana (Cal.) Register

As a member of one of the so-called evangelical churches of this city, I would like to protest against the spirit of petty denominationalism shown by the lecture which is advertised to be held during this week in one of our leading churches.

It seems to me that the present is a very inopportune time to try to stir up denominational strife, which, after all, is only a matter of difference of opinion. Due largely to present conditions of national life, the various sects and denominations are beginning to see things from a more and more common viewpoint, and people are realizing that it is not a creed or cherished belief which counts to any extent, but rather the results in the life of the individual holding such belief and whether such belief helps the individual and the community to reach a higher ideal of life.

Judged from such a standpoint, I think that any fair-minded person will have no hesitancy in saying that the Christian Scientists as a class and as individuals are certainly doing their share toward such an end, and without fear of contradiction I will make a statement, based on personal observation and also upon statements which I have heard from business men both inside the orthodox church and out of the church altogether, that proportionately to their membership there are more members of the Christian Science belief who act up to the ideals of truth and integrity in a business way than is the case with members of the evangelical churches. On one occasion Jesus himself censured his disciples when they called his attention to one outside of their number who was doing good to his fellow men, and it therefore seems hardly fitting that a follower of this same Jesus should seek to bring odium upon those who in their own way, and according to their own concepts, are trying to live up to the Christ ideal.

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