Article March 1, 1919 Issue

I would quite agree with the critic, in your issue of...

A. O. Freel

Baker (Ore.) Herald

I would quite agree with the critic, in your issue of November 9, who said that "the well being of the community" should be protected from the dangers of Christian Science, if Christian Science taught what he says it does. But as a matter of fact, anyone who will give the subject even a little fair investigation will be convinced that the teaching of Christian Science with regard to mental suggestion, otherwise known as hypnotism and fear, is exactly the opposite of what he says it is.

Hypnotism, or mental suggestion, is a belief in a power apart from God, namely, that one human mind may influence or control another. In defining hypnotism Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says (Science and Health, p. 103): "Animal magnetism or hypnotism is the specific term for error, or mortal mind. It is the false belief that mind is in matter, and is both evil and good." Again, on page 442 of Science and Health we find this significant statement: "Neither animal magnetism nor hypnotism enters into the practice of Christian Science."

Christian Scientists quite agree with the critic that "the true Christian fears God." And at the same time they go to the dictionary for the meaning of fear, where they find, among other definitions, the one most applicable in this instance, "reverence." Quite naturally they have sincere reverence for God, who is infinite Love; and they just as naturally trust omnipotent Love, which destroys fear (fright)—for does not the Bible declare that "perfect love casteth out fear"—to protect them from contagion, or any other form of evil.

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