Article July 3, 1926 Issue

In regard to the evangelist's final sermon against what...

Israel Pickens, Committee on Publication for the State of Alabama,—Birmingham

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In regard to the evangelist's final sermon against what he believes Christian Science to be, he is reported in your columns as stating that Christian Scientists consider their textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, to be the "Holy Ghost," and that, therefore, this "Holy Ghost" is copyrighted. Christian Scientists know that the book, Science and Health, is not the "Holy Ghost." Jesus has taught us what the Holy Ghost is, as recorded in the fourteenth chapter of John, verses 16, 17, and 26. This teaching of Jesus is accepted unreservedly by Christian Scientists. The evangelist's assertion that the Christian Science church is not a Christian church is merely his opinion about it. Any informed and unprejudiced person knows that the Christian Science church is Christian; and those who are uninformed can readily find this out for themselves by honest investigation. Our critic states that Christian Scientists boast of being from the upper classes and of being cultured and exclusive. The writer, who has had many years' association with Christian Scientists, has never heard a single boast of this kind made by a Christian Scientist. While Christian Science tends to lift human beings from a state of poverty and degradation to a higher plane of thought and life, it is quite incorrect to say that Christian Science appeals only to the upper classes, if by that is meant the rich and influential. Its message is to all. Christ's invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden," is the same universal appeal of Christian Science to-day.

Permit me to state briefly that Christian Scientists have made no attack upon the evangelist or his religious beliefs whatsoever. Indeed, the replies you have published have been entirely in defense of Christian Science, against the evangelist's own attacks. Christian Scientists regard any intolerant attitude towards the religion of others as being in itself unchristian. The Pilgrim Fathers, who gave their lives in helping to establish in America religious and civil liberty, would blush with shame if they could witness to-day some of the evidences of religious intolerance manifested by a few so-called Christian evangelists. Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, clearly recognizes the impregnable nature of the truth as taught in Christian Science. She says in her book, "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 383): "The elements of earth beat in vain against the immortal parapets of this Science. Erect and eternal, it will go on with the ages, go down the dim posterns of time unharmed, and on every battle-field rise higher in the estimation of thinkers and in the hearts of Christians."

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