Article July 10, 1926 Issue

Since the friends of theosophy have offered further comment...

Lester B. McCoun, Committee on Publication for the State of Nebraska,—Omaha

World-Herald

Since the friends of theosophy have offered further comment on Christian Science through your paper, I again ask your kind consideration. Christian Scientists have no unkind thoughts for individuals who may differ from them religiously or medically, but they desire to have their religion presented truthfully. They fully realize the need of love and tolerance among all. The theosophist, who has qualified his statement that the Christian Science method of overcoming evil and its effects "is in itself a suffering" by adding the words, "to the ordinary (mortally-minded) man of the world," is still in error regarding Christian Science. Obedience to the Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus" cannot produce suffering. The rejection of this Mind is the source of suffering. Christian Science teaching on this and some other related points raised is given on page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and is as follows: "We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts."

One might infer from the comment of the theosophist that there is some similarity between Christian Science and theosophy, but such a conclusion is a mistake. The ancient Hebrews of Biblical record, through whom the first true conceptions of the Christ began to appear, encountered the argument that the same or kindred truths had been announced before. They may have appeared to be similar, but when it came to the demonstration of spiritual reality in human experience, the Hebrew patriarchs' higher and more vitalizing sense of Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love became apparent at once. The distinction was made entirely clear by the mighty works of Christ Jesus, whose religion was the Science of God, Mind, and His spiritual creation, a religion which contradicted material theories of cause and effect, as well as attempts to associate Spirit and matter in life and action.

If some of the ancient Hebrews failed to abide by the law of Love at any time, this does not affect Principle, universal Love, nor does it detract from the better expression of Love by Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me;" and again, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Christian Science follows Christ Jesus. In its allegiance to Christ, Truth, and in the overcoming of sin, disease, and death in the manner Jesus commanded, the great gulf between Christian Science and theosophy becomes evident. There is no trace of "Oriental philosophy" in the works of Jesus nor in his words, of which he said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." All religionists must admit that Christ Jesus' words were supported by something more than beautiful sentiments or good resolutions. Truly, the great need of all is a more intelligent and practical application of the law of universal Love—more of the spirit of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. But, according to Christian Science, our loving purposes must be expressed in Christly works—in the application of the law of Love to all human needs now, in the manner the Saviour practiced it. Being universal, the law of infinite Love is literally a present possibility; and this fact is manifested now in proportion to our understanding and obedience to it. Christian Scientists are exceedingly careful not to interpret any part of the Bible in a manner contradictory to what Christ Jesus said and did.

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