Article December 31, 1927 Issue

I should like space in your columns to correct some misstatements...

Orwell Bradley Towne, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,—Utica

Observer-Dispatch

I should like space in your columns to correct some misstatements contained in the article by a clergyman in a recent issue of your paper. The clergyman betrays a surprising lack of information about the facts and the history of Christian Science. He suggests that the efforts of Christian Scientists to "suppress unfriendly criticism" are not in keeping with the faith of Christian Scientists in their religion. There is no objection to a fair-minded analysis of Christian Science; but common justice requires that someone refute false statements, garbled quotations, insinuating prejudices, and intentional misinformation by giving frank statements of fact, backed up squarely by evidence and experience.

Mrs. Eddy's life was above reproach and needs no defense. Despite insinuations there comes a time when an intelligent public turns to authoritative sources for its information regarding the character and work of great leaders and teachers. That is precisely what is happening to-day in regard to Mrs. Eddy and her manifold activities. Earnest inquiry reveals the fact she is loved and respected by thousands, both within and without the Christian Science movement. Many are learning for the first time that Mrs. Eddy was not only highly esteemed by individual friends and followers, but that on more than one occasion great governments and representative institutions conferred honors upon her, without solicitation. The Victoria Institute, or Philosophical Society of Great Britain, as an example, paid Mrs. Eddy the compliment of electing her an associate life-member.

As for the allegation that the followers of Christian Science live in a double world, it is only necessary to refer the critic to the words of Mrs. Eddy herself. In her Message to The Mother Church for 1901 (p. 34) she said, "Finally, brethren, wait patiently on God; return blessing for cursing; be not overcome of evil, but overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good; be steadfast, abide and abound in faith, understanding, and good works; study the Bible and the textbook of our denomination; obey strictly the laws that be, and follow your Leader only so far as she follows Christ." Instead of separating one from the actualities of life, Christian Science emphasizes the practicality of life. It teaches obedience to law, honesty and justice in business dealings, the living of the Golden Rule in the daily life, and putting all associations with others in life and living on the highest possible basis of ethics and spirituality.

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December 31, 1927
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