Article April 29, 1922 Issue

In a recent edition of the Journal an article appeared...

Peter B. Biggins

Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) Journal

In a recent edition of the Journal an article appeared relating to the city of Los Angeles, the subheading of which read, "Only Flourishing Religion in Los Angeles is Christian Science." There is a good deal of truth in this statement, as Christian Science has, unquestionably, a large following there.

The writer of the article, however, places a wrong construction upon this fact. "As for churches," so the item reads, "the only church which really flourishes is the Christian Science church, the grandeur of which takes one's breath away. The gigantic white marble structure glitters in the semitropical sun and by its ornate exterior seems to join in that boasting procession headed by Money and What Money Can Buy." The statement contained in the last few words of this quotation is erroneous. It is generally acknowledged by right-thinking people that church edifices should express outwardly the best and loftiest conceptions. Many Christian Science churches, by their beauty of architectural design, do so. This can, moreover, be truly said of the churches in Los Angeles. They are not, however, testimonials of "what money can buy;" they are proofs of what love, and gratitude, and consecration to God can accomplish. They are, fact, an evidence of the true spirit of cheerful giving, such as is recorded of the children of Israel in these words: "And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation."

The mistaken reason given in this article for the rapid growth of Christian Science in California is contained in these words, "The dear old-fashioned church of our childhood is not spectacular enough for the pious Californian, and as for the tourists—why, the tourists are here to play, not to pary." The "dear old-fashioned church" is just as dear to Christian Scientists as to others. In it many of us were taught the rudiments of Christianity, and for that we are grateful. It is with regret that we observe its tardiness in awakening to its opportunities of fulfilling the Christ-mission in healing the sick. That Christian Science is growing rapidly in California is self-evident, and very gratifying. But the reason is not to be found in a love of the spectacular, as this article indicates, for it is well known that a Christian Science service is extremely simple in its nature. The reason is, that human needs are being effectually met through an understanding of Christian Science.

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