Article January 8, 1927 Issue

Your recent issue contains a letter from a correspondent...

William K. Primrose, Secretary to the District Manager of Committees on Publication for Great Britain and Ireland,—Saint Ives

Huntingdonshire Post

Your recent issue contains a letter from a correspondent who has evidently read, but failed to understand, the report of the lecture on Christian Science in your previous issue. The teachings of Christian Science do contradict many of the religious views held by members of the other churches, but that they are in exact conformity with the Bible and the teachings of Christ Jesus is being not only understood but demonstrated by countless people all over the civilized world. That the views of many clergymen and other religious thinkers are changing in a most remarkable degree at the present time is very evident, and your correspondent should remember this when approaching the teachings of Christian Science. Your correspondent shows he has failed to understand not only the teachings of Christian Science, but the divine basis on which they rest, when he states that the practice of Christian Science is based on self-suggestion. The teachings of Christian Science can be demonstrated only in proportion as one gains the Mind of Christ; and in its practice no resort is made to self-suggestion or to any other process or agency of the human or carnal mind, which Paul declared to be "enmity against God." The nature of Christian Science practice is shown by the first sentence on the first page of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy: "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love." Your correspondent takes exception to the statement in Christian Science that disease is unreal. Were he, however, to make a study of the textbook, and learn the meaning of the word "reality" as that term is used in Christian Science, he would appreciate what is understood by that statement. He would also understand the logic of Christian Science, which never departs from the premise that "all is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all" (Science and Health, p. 468). The teachings of Christian Science make their appeal to and meet the needs of all classes of society, and to declare otherwise implies that your correspondent does not know of the great good that is being accomplished in the world to-day by the Church of Christ, Scientist.

In conclusion, may I quote some observations of one or two clergymen and doctors who have recently written or spoken of Christian Science. The Rev. James Black, M.A., D.D., St. George's, Edinburgh, at the commencement of a critical article in a religious magazine two years ago, wrote: "I admire Mrs. Eddy, the Founder of Christian Science, in deep ways, and I frankly consider her one of the most remarkable people in religious history. She has founded a great church; she has left her mark for good on countless lives; indeed, she has affected our generation more than any other single man or woman." The Rt. Rev. N. S. Talbot, D. D., M. C., Bishop of Pretoria, writes, "Up to a point I see in Christian Science a true return to the Mind of Christ." Dr. Hugh Cabot, formerly of Boston, but now Dean of the Medical School of the University of Michigan, writes: "There is no question but that a great many people have been made more useful citizens by the doctrine of Christian Science." While Dr. Charles Hunter, of Winnipeg, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine in the University of Manitoba, stated in an address at the last meeting of the Canadian Medical Association, "Christian Science has helped many persons suffering from diseases which to the medical practitioner had defied diagnosis. . . . Further, it has brought relief to individuals who were victims of some organic disorder." Dr. Drummond Shiels, Member of Parliament for one the divisions of Edinburgh, in a recent speech in the House of Commons, in the debate on Unqualified Medical Practice, said: "Some of the most remarkable cases I know of, wonderful cures, have been in connection with Christian Science, which I have seen myself and known."

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 a recent editorial under the caption, "Growing Old,"...
January 8, 1927
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit