Article August 17, 1918 Issue

On reading an interesting article entitled "Reconstruction...

Hettie Williams—England

Stroud News and Gloucester Advertiser

On reading an interesting article entitled "Reconstruction by the Spirit," I notice that the author has, probably quite unwittingly, alluded to Christian Science in a way calculated to mislead the thought of your readers as to its true nature and teaching. The passage to which I refer reads: "On every side, not only in religion, materialistic views are giving way to spiritual. ... we see it even in strange beliefs mixed with much that is false, such as Theosophy, Christian Science, and Spiritualism. But we see it far more clearly and hopefully in those great movements which are truly spiritual and Christian, though not connected with and particular branch of the Church of Christ."

In the first place, and in order to correct a very general misapprehension as to the comparison of Christian Science with theosophy and spiritualism, which are in no way similar or related to it, may I quote the words of Mary Baker Eddy, the author of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the textbook of Christian Science? On page 99 she says: "Those individuals, who adopt theosophy, spiritualism, or hypnotism, may possess natures above some others who eschew their false beliefs. Therefore my contest is not with the individual, but with the false system." In is an indisputable fact that, as a result of the understanding which Christian Science gives, "materialistic views are giving way to spiritual" in a more marked degree than under any other religious teaching.

Jesus taught, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Christian Science teaches: "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all." (Science and Health, p. 468). Being entirely in accord with the teachings of the Master, wherever understandingly applied, Christian Science does bring forth the signs which he said should "follow them that believe;" it can therefore hardly be classed with "strange beliefs," but would surely have been better described as a great movement which is "truly spiritual and Christian."

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