Article October 2, 1926 Issue

Not in a spirit of controversy, but of friendly observation,...

Ralph G. Lindstrom, Committee on Publication for the State of Colorado,—Englewood

Messenger

Not in a spirit of controversy, but of friendly observation, this is submitted with reference to the statement by an itinerant preacher from an Englewood pulpit, dealing with the Bible study habit of Christian Scientists. This reverend friend expressed regret that people study their Bibles so little, and said he rarely sees the Bible read by those traveling on trains; but admitted that he frequently sees Christian Scientists reading the Bible while traveling. It is regrettable that what he mistakenly believes Christian Science to be (as distinguished from what his sincerity will sometime cause him to learn about it) caused this gentleman to make unkind mention of the fact that Christian Scientists study the Bible with "that other book." By "that other book" our critic means the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. These two books are studied together in considering citations constituting the weekly Lesson-Sermon in Christian Science, contained in the Christian Science Quarterly. Is it quite consistent to inveigh against the Christian Science sermon method, wherein the Bible portion is at least one half, while the audience of the critic probably heard only a few Bible verses as a text, and then at least one half hour of the personal views of our preacher friend, a portion of which were unkindly references to a body of Christians whom he admits to be consistent Bible students?

One thing must necessarily follow from the admission that Christian Scientists are regular Bible students. "That other book" has awakened in them a deep and abiding love of the Bible. This being true, it is accomplishing incomparably more in the evangelization of human thought than preaching which contains unkind reference to fellow Christians. When our reverend friend learns more of the Christian Science movement, he will see that The Christian Science Monitor, an international daily newspaper designed only for the publication of good about all peoples, everywhere, has several columns under the heading, "Progress in the Churches," wherein appear news items joyfully noting progress in other churches and rarely, if ever, referring to Christian Science. This is the best evidence of the Christian Scientist's attitude toward other religionists; for this movement has in it only good will to all men, and healing for the ills of mankind.

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