Article July 24, 1926 Issue

In a sermon, which appeared in a recent issue of your...

William Brandt, Committee on Publication for the State of Maryland,—Havre de Grace

Republican

In a sermon, which appeared in a recent issue of your paper, written by a minister who is under the impression that he knows more about the Bible than do the Christian Scientists, the question is asked, "How is it that you accept heaven and reject the reality of eternal perdition?" Christian Scientists accept heaven as the real because it is in accord with the first chapter of Genesis, where we find these words: "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." Since God, who is Love, made everything good, heaven is here, now, and is eternal. And so Christian Scientists understand that in reality "hell" never was made. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we find the following definition (p. 588): "Hell. Mortal belief; error; lust; remorse; hatred; revenge; sin; sickness; death; suffering and self-destruction; self-imposed agony; effects of sin; that which 'worketh abomination or maketh a lie.' " Nobody believes "hell" is good, because every one knows better. Christian Science is ushering in that condition referred to in Revelation 21:1-4. Certainly that is a heavenly state when "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Christian Science teaches that God is infinite. To compress the infinite into the finite is impossible, and Christian Scientists do not attempt impossibilities. Our friend expresses sorrow that adherents to Christian Science (which is a religion) "have come out of the Christian churches." Well, in so far as Christian Science is concerned, some who were formerly members of the church our brother represents have stated they are happier now than they formerly were. They ought to know, for personal experience is what tells the story. Doubtless, the nourishment (spiritual food) furnished by Christian Science accounts for the changed condition. The caption of the sermon, "That Traitor Apostle," does not apply in the case of the Christian Scientist. He is as loyal to God and His Christ as it is possible to be. In this assertion that others are traitors, it seems to me our friend has temporarily shelved the commandment, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour," as well as, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." In conclusion, I cannot resist the temptation to call to the attention of our brother the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians. Earnest study of this chapter has brought to Christian Scientists an understanding of the word "love" which is of inestimable value.

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