Article July 3, 1920 Issue

The author of an article in the Union denounces spiritualism,...

Louis E. Scholl

Walla Walla (Wash.) Union

The author of an article in the Union denounces spiritualism, and in his introduction finds occasion to criticize Christian Science also. With the main contention of this article Christian Scientists are agreed, for they fully recognize the falsity of spiritualism and its consequent pitfalls and dangers. In fact, Mrs. Eddy in her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," has devoted all of a chapter to the subject, "Christian Science versus Spiritualism."

The subtlety of this article in the Union, however, is not in its main argument, nor even in its criticism of religions other than the one to which the author subscribes, but in the fact that it is an attack upon the public school system of the land, for the article begins by saying, "People who have been brought up on provided school education, that is to say, on morality divorced from dogma, have been passing through three successive stages of substitutes for the Christianity of Christ." It does not set well with the average American citizen to read deprecating remarks regarding an institution of his country so cherished as is our public schools, and especially from the pen of one who is understood to be an alien. The purpose of this reply, though, is to call attention in particular to the fact that for a writer who evidently knows nothing of Christian Science and its practical demonstration, to speak of it as "fraudulent foodstuff," and as being one of the "substitutes for the Christianity of Christ," is but to show ignorance either of Christian Science or of what constitutes the Christianity of Christ.

Christianity is both outward and inward conformity to the teachings of Christ Jesus. He made very clear to the twelve apostles whom he sent out what their program should be when he said, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead; cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." His instructions to the seventy were much the same, and his last words to the eleven, "as they sat at meat," spoken just before his ascension, were but little different. In "Rudimental Divine Science" Mrs. Eddy says (p. 17), "The ways of Christianity have not changed. Meekness, selflessness, and love are the paths of His testimony and the footsteps of His flock." Thus she makes it clear that Jesus' commandments to his immediate followers are his commandments to his followers of to-day.

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