Article November 6, 1926 Issue

An editorial in your recent issue advanced the query,...

Hugh Stuart Campbell, Committee on Publication for the State of Illinois,—Chicago

Daily Calumet

An editorial in your recent issue advanced the query, "Is there a schism in the Christian Science church, or has there been a change in the attitude of that great denomination toward prohibition?" Please allow me to answer both questions with a vigorous "No!" Christian Scientists are not divided on the liquor question. The members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, unanimously uphold prohibition. Christian Scientists have always maintained, and do now maintain, the same attitude on this vital issue as that held by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science, when in defense of prohibition she said (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 288, 289): "Whatever intoxicates a man, stultifies and causes him to degenerate physically and morally. Strong drink is unquestionably an evil, and evil cannot be used temperately: its slightest use is abuse; hence the only temperance is total abstinence." Christian Scientists are supporting the government by applying the rule of "total abstinence." Moreover, Christian Science branch churches throughout the United States and individual Christian Scientists followed a recent action of the Board of Directors of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, by adopting resolutions pledging their hearty support of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denouncing the desire to repeal that amendment, and presenting such resolutions to the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington.

The advertisement headed "Prohibition" recently published in a Chicago newspaper, from which you quoted extensively in your editorial, contained gross misrepresentations. It was prepared by persons comprising a certain group, using the name "Christian Science," who are not affiliated with the Church of Christ, Scientist, nor with any of its activities. The sole purpose of such misleading publicity is to impose upon the public the belief that there is dissension among Christian Scientists on the liquor question. Such purpose is lacking in Christian charity, and obviously must fail. Permit me to express my appreciation of your generous attitude in reserving judgment until you have obtained the truth about this imposition. The facts contained in this letter will, I trust, answer your question and furnish reliable information to your readers.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

An editorial in your recent issue advanced the query,...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access