Article October 8, 1927 Issue

Although the revivalist who has been holding meetings...

Thomas C. Hollingshead, Committee on Publication for the State of Idaho,—Lewiston

Tribune

Although the revivalist who has been holding meetings in your city, and whose remarks with reference to Christian Science were printed in a recent edition of your paper, repeatedly stated to his audience that he intended to be fairminded and not to remove quotations from their context, your report of his remarks shows that he did just what he assured his hearers he had no intention of doing, and indicates that he misquoted, quoted only parts of sentences, and took sentences completely away from the text immediately preceding or following the words he quotes, which text explains and modifies the bare words he tries to use as a confirmation of his opinion that Christian Science is not in harmony with the teachings of the Bible. As his hearers have possibly been misled by his assertions of fair-mindedness and fair procedure in his criticism, and as your readers must have received a wrong impression on the subject, I ask that you will kindly give me the privilege of calling attention to this, as well as to the fact that those interested have available in nearly all public libraries the book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, which is the Christian Science textbook and contains the teachings of this religious system. They are privileged to make their own decision as to whether Mrs. Eddy was correct in making the statement she does on page 126 of this book: "I have found nothing in ancient or in modern systems on which to found my own, except the teachings and demonstrations of our great Master and the lives of prophets and apostles. The Bible has been my only authority. I have had no other guide in 'the straight and narrow way' of Truth."

The shallowness of the speaker's criticism is exemplified in the following quotation as it appears in your report of this meeting. He is quoted as saying, "Christian Science denies sin, says there is no sin, and therefore their adherents are free to do as they please and can commit any indulgence." How anyone would appear before an intelligent audience to criticize a religious system when such words as these show a startling ignorance of its teachings, is a difficult matter to understand. Had the speaker made a study of the subject he was criticizing, he would have understood that reality was denied to sin solely on the basis that it is not of God, who saw "every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." He would have noted also throughout the entire textbook Mrs. Eddy's repeated instruction that right living is an essential of Christian Science, which teaching she summarizes on page 448 of Science and Health as follows: "It is Christian Science to do right, and nothing short of right-doing has any claim to the name. To talk the right and live the wrong is foolish deceit, doing one's self the most harm."

Jesus gave a very clear basis for judgment of any religious system in the words, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." The truth taught in the Christian Science textbook has led thousands from lives of sin, sickness, sorrow, and unhappiness into the peace and happiness which attend more correct living. It inculcates love for and an understanding of the Bible, and the desire to be better men and women, better citizens, neighbors, and friends. In this book, the last chapter is headed "Fruitage"; and it is comprised of the verified testimonies of those who have been freed from ailments of all kinds solely through a study of this book. Christian Scientists do not urge anyone to adopt their beliefs; but they point out what has been accomplished through this means in the healing of both sin and sickness. They show the seeker where he may find the means of securign reliable information on the subject, and then leave the decision to him, in full confidence that the good that has come through its teachings may be experienced by him also, regardless of what the name of the disease or the unhappiness which he has been undergoing may be. The followers of this religious system realize that it is only those who fail to understand the teaching of Christian Science that criticize and condemn it, while those who do grasp its simple teachings thank God that there has been revealed to men the spiritual import of the Bible, including the teachings and demonstrations of Jesus. They rejoice that the pages of this great book have been opened to their understanding, and are convinced to their own satisfaction that Christian Science is in entire accord with it. While not in a position to speak with regard to the revivalist's criticism of the other systems he mentions, it seems reasonable to conclude that one who is so incorrect in his judgment of Christian Science may also be as far astray in his conclusions on other subjects. When he has studied Science and Health with an unbiased mind; when he has put its teachings into practice and has produced some of the fruits that thousands of his fellow beings are producing throughout the world, then he will be in a position to speak on the subject intelligently. Moreover, he will thereby have attained a clearer understanding of God and his own relation to Him; and he will also have a better understanding of how to love his neighbor as himself.

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