Article May 2, 1925 Issue

In a recent issue of the Daily News a gentleman is reported...

Herbert L. Standeven, Committee on Publication for the State of Oklahoma,—Muskogee

Daily News

In a recent issue of the Daily News a gentleman is reported to have made the statements: "Mrs. Eddy stated Christian Science. ... Her book is a woman's prodiction. It is not of God." The best answer to this criticism of Christian Science and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, is the statement made by Christ Jesus, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Christian Science will stand or fall upon its own record. This system of scientific Christianity was revealed to the world about sixty years ago by Mrs. Eddy; the Christian Science textbook was first published in the year 1875. Since that time Christian Science has withstood, perhaps, the severest criticisms and denunciations that have ever been directed against a religious movement; and notwithstanding these attacks, it has continued to grow and develop until it is now represented by churches and societies in all parts of the world; and its healing truths have blessed millions. Referring to the manner in which the Christian Science textbook was written, Mrs. Eddy, as recorded in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," on page 114, said: "My first writings on Christian Science began with notes on the Scriptures. I consulted no other authors and read no other book but the Bible for about three years." And she added: "It was not myself, but the divine power of Truth and Love, infinitely above me, which dictated 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.' I have been learning the higher meaning of this book since writing it."

A great many of the leading ministers of the so-called orthodox churches recognize the wonderful good that is being accomplished through the Christian Science movement, and many of these ministers are honestly seeking the reason for its growth and development. The Rev. Torrance Phelps, First Congregational pastor, Kalamazoo, Michigan, as reported in the Kalamazoo Gazette of November 17, 1924, said: "This new religious movement has never been fairly evaluated by orthodoxy; nevertheless it has continued to grow at a remarkable rate and has drawn religious people from all sects. It is, therefore, necessary that orthodox churches learn the secret of Christian Science, which has diverted a large stream of people from the other churches. In the first place, orthodoxy has largely emphasized the life hereafter. Churches have wasted their strength quibbling over doctrines, while the great masses of humanity have been hungering for a practical religion. ... Christian Science has reminded us that we live in a spiritual universe, that the real things are the invisible. Christian Science has also emphasized the reality of God, teaching a God of power, an idea commensurate with the vast and infinite universe. Orthodoxy is right in insisting upon the conversion of the tendencies toward evil into righteousness, but the great need of the orthodox church is to reestablish the healing ministry."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

In a recent issue of the Daily News a gentleman is reported...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access