Article November 20, 1926 Issue

In a sermon published in your issue of recent date, Christian Scientists...

William Brandt, Committee on Publication for the State of Maryland,

Havre de Grace Republican

In a sermon published in your issue of recent date, Christian Scientists are referred to as "skeptics." Please grant me space to say that Christian Scientists have received an understanding of the Bible which enables them to interpret the Scriptures in a practical manner. Indeed, by use of this spiritual understanding, they have, to a considerable extent, been able to do the works our Master commanded his followers to do; that is, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers." This evidence should be sufficient to convince fair-minded persons that Christian Scientists do not question God's Word. It should be understood that there is no attempt here to make it appear that Christian Scientists of themselves have power to heal discordant conditions. Christ Jesus said, "I can of mine own self do nothing." He acknowledged God as the only power; and Christian Scientists do likewise.

Toward the end of this sermon our critic says: "Chris tian Science has the brazen, infamous, sacrilegious audacity to say that the blood of Christ was no more efficacious when it was shed than when it was flowing in his veins. I quote from a book called 'Science and Health.' " Now, in the first place, harsh judgment does not avail anything; so it appears that our critic has forgotten the Master's admonition in this connection. Secondly, the quotation is inaccurate. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 25), we find this statement: "The material blood of Jesus was no more efficacious to cleanse from sin when it was shed upon 'the accursed tree,' than when it was flowing in his veins as he went daily about his Father's business." Comparing the quotation of our critic with the correct quotation, one can readily see that in the former the word "Christ" was used, instead of the word "Jesus," and that quite a number of words were left out. Evidently our brother has not yet learned how to differentiate when using the words "Christ" and "Jesus." And he neglected to do what he should have done, namely, quote the entire sentence as it appears in Science and Health. For the assurance of our friend it can be said that Christian Scientists are not "anti-Christian teachers," as witness their Christlike works. In answer to the query, "What do they do with such great verses as Colossians 1:20 and Hebrews 9:22?" we reply, They use them just as they use all the verses in the Bible—with good effect. In the event of our critic really desiring to have more light on the subject, we suggest that he study the chapter, "Atonement and Eucharist," in Science and Health. Inasmuch as our brother has quoted in part from this book, we take it he now has a copy in his possession. If such is not the case, he may procure the book in the public library.

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