Article November 14, 1925 Issue

We shall appreciate an opportunity to comment upon and...

Charles E. Heitman, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,—Brooklyn

Item

We shall appreciate an opportunity to comment upon and correct certain erroneous implications regarding the Christian Science religion contained in a sermon by a South Brooklyn pastor, as reported in your recent issue. It is true, as our critic implies, that Christian Science encourages its adherents to let thought dwell on the spiritual beauty, nature, and character of the deathless Christ, as reflected in the earthly life of Jesus, rather than upon those unfortunate conditions which find expression in the manifold ills to which the flesh seems heir. This fact, however, should not be accepted as an indication that Christian Science ignores the lesson taught on Calvary and symbolized by the cross. Indeed, it would be difficult to conceive of a deeper sense of reverence and appreciation than that entertained and expressed by Christian Scientists for the trying experiences incident to the crucifixion, through which the Master so willingly passed in order to demonstrate the eternality of Life, and thus enlighten mankind on this all-important subject. As an evidence of the Christian Science viewpoint on this question, we shall briefly quote from the religious tenets of the Christian Science church, set forth on page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy: "We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter."

Incidentally, we may add that sin is not, as our critic would have us believe, indifferently dealt with in Christian Science. Quite the contrary, Christian Science regards sin as the procuring cause of all mortal discord, including death itself, and deals directly with it as an effect of erroneous thinking. It should be understood that while Christian Science, as previously pointed out, advises against undue contemplation of sin, sickness, and death, and definitely denies the reality of these experiences as a part of God's spiritual creation, it by no means ignores them as unhappy phases of human existence. The position of Christian Science in respect to the character of those things upon which we may meditate with profit is clearly put by the Apostle Paul in the following statement quoted from his epistle to the Philippians: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

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