Article September 6, 1919 Issue

Thousands of Christian Scientists will unhesitatingly say...

Aaron E. Brandt

Warren (Pa.) Chronicle

Thousands of Christian Scientists will unhesitatingly say that all kinds of sickness and sin have been overcome by an understanding of the absolute fact that God, the only creator, never made them, and that therefore they can have no more reality or power than erroneous belief gives them. It is also true that the lives of many people have been prolonged thereby.

Why should a clergyman, of all persons, find fault with those who have found a better way of obtaining a present salvation from such ills? Evidently our critic deems it against the rules, as it was in Jesus' time, for individuals unauthorized by ecclesiasticism to do spiritual healing more successfully than the ecclesiastics themselves. Our critic has yet to learn that in these days it is merit that will count with the people rather than worn-out dogmas. The answer given by some one to the question why Christian Scientists are happier than others is pertinent here: "Because they have found what others are seeking."

Again the critic finds fruitless fault with Mrs. Eddy's teaching to the effect that the real man of God's creating cannot depart from holiness and is incapable of sin, sickness, or death. But we need only turn to the first epistle of John to confirm her position: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Being without sin he is, therefore, not subject to sickness or death, as Jesus proved. Before criticizing Mrs. Eddy one should at least make a reasonable attempt to understand her. "Anybody," she writes on page 345 of Science and Health, "who is able to perceive the incongruity between God's idea and poor humanity, ought to be able to discern the distinction (made by Christian Science) between God's man, made in His image, and the sinning race of Adam."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
It is just as impossible for our clerical critic to render...
September 6, 1919
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit