Article January 29, 1927 Issue

For the information of your readers, kindly allow me...

Stephen J. Sametz, Committee on Publication for the Province of Manitoba, Canada,—Winnipeg

Manitoba Free Press

For the information of your readers, kindly allow me to correct certain statements appearing in your recent issue. In reply to the question, "What is your honest opinion of Christian Science and its Founder?" our critic has given an answer founded on erroneous information. His statement, "Mrs. Eddy was, in my opinion, sincere in her beliefs, which can be traced behind her [to her] teacher, Quimby," is based on an untruth which has been corrected again and again. Phineas P. Quimby was not Mary Baker Eddy's teacher of Christian Science in any sense of the word. He practiced personal magnetism or mesmerism; and far from teaching faith in God, he often argued against religion. His son, George A. Quimby, in a letter written in 1904, stated in part: "No one, least of all myself, disputes her [Mrs. Eddy's] claims that she is the 'originator of Christian Science,' as far as the religious aim goes. It is all hers." Mrs. Eddy's own testimony as to her discovery and the source of her revelation is as follows: "In following these leadings of scientific revelation, the Bible was my only textbook. The Scriptures were illumined; reason and revelation were reconciled, and afterwards the truth of Christian Science was demonstrated" (Science and Health, p. 110). Far from attempting to suppress any unfriendly criticism in any other manner than by truth-telling, the students of Christian Science welcome the opportunity to bring out the facts wherever necessary, allowing the public to judge whether their works justify the "reason of the hope" that is in them.

With regard to the comments made by our reverend friend as to the unreality of matter, perhaps it will suffice here to say that Christian Science teaches an absolute acceptance of the allness of God, Spirit, and His infinite manifestation. Christian Scientists do not close their eyes to the fact that matter seems to exist to human belief, and that disease sometimes appears very real to the frightened sense of the believer. They learn, however, that disease is unreal because it is not of God, and find healing in the same trust and confidence voiced by David, the sweet singer of Israel, who praised and blessed the Lord, "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." They do not seek health as the great objective, but and their freedom and happy release in following the teachings of their Master, Christ Jesus, who taught that "it is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing," and that health, happiness, and intelligence are among those things which "shall be added" unto them as the kingdom of God is earnestly sought for. In common with other Christians, students of Christian Science know that Jesus' mission was "that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." They also remember that Jesus healed many entirely through mental or spiritual means, without any material application whatsoever; that he did not confine his healing by spiritual means to neurotics and hypochondriacs; and that he commended his works to his followers, assuring them that if they believed on him they would do even greater works. (See John 14:12.)

To-day there may be found in many communities those who have been healed through the ministrations of Christian Science of so-called organic diseases, diagnosed by regular physicians. There are cases in this city where healing through Christian Science treatment has taken place after surgical operations had failed to bring relief; and I feel sure there are many such in the reverend doctor's own city. In their work of reforming the sinner and healing the sick in the way the Master did, Christian Scientists have not lost the regard of their fellow-men. On the contrary, because of their works, they are admittedly counted among those who are honestly and conscientiously striving to improve the conditions of their fellow-men. They find a solid foundation for their trust in a loving heavenly Father, and not in any man-made creed, however time-honored. The success of their faith and understanding lies in a close adherence to Scriptural authority, which adherence, for the purpose of this correction, may be illustrated by the following quotation from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 497): "We solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure."

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