Article May 29, 1926 Issue

New allies of the antiprohibition forces are trying to make...

The Christian Science Monitor

New allies of the antiprohibition forces are trying to make it appear that the Christian Scientists of the United States are divided on the liquor question. It is even asserted in glaring headlines that "Mary Baker Eddy Opposed Prohibition," and the effort is made thereby to mislead her followers. Mary Baker Eddy advocated prohibition before she discovered Christian Science. At Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1864, she became a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and soon became one of the officers and one of the speakers of the local lodge of this order. Long afterward other members and officers of this lodge recalled and related that Mrs. Eddy's part in its meetings always was noticeable as being dignified, courteous, effective, and impressive (The Life of Mary Baker Eddy, by Sibyl Wilbur, 1923 edition, p. 118).

When Mrs. Eddy joined the Good Templars, the platform of this order included the following planks: "Total abstinence from all intoxicating liquor as a beverage," and, "The absolute prohibition of the manufacture, importation, and sale of intoxicating liquors for such purposes." At that time, also, each of the lodges held a meeting every week, attended by both sexes, which provided "excellent education in parliamentary practice" and kept "constantly before the minds of members the principles of total abstinence and prohibition" (History of the Independent Order of Good Templars by the Rev. T. F. Parker (1881). p. 128).

As a Christian Scientist, Mrs. Eddy maintained the same position. Thus she said: "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" (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 288, 289). Moreover, it was part of her politics "to help support a righteous government" (Miscellany, p. 276). There is not a word in Mrs. Eddy's writings which can be fairly construed to indicate that she would have been in favor of modifying in any degree a constitution or law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drink.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
In reply to a clergyman, writing in a recent issue of your...
May 29, 1926
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit