Article March 19, 1927 Issue

I have been reading with much interest the report of a...

Ralph B. Textor, Committee on Publication for the State of Ohio,—Painesville

Telegraph

I have been reading with much interest the report of a bishop's sermon as it appeared in your recent issue, particularly that portion of it where he is reported as saying that the church needs the ability to recognize and incorporate the truths in religion, regardless of denominational jealousies. In reply to a criticism of the Episcopal church he was quoted as saying: "If there is anything good, or to the glory of God in the Methodist church, why not take it? If there are truths in the teachings of Christian Science they came from God, and Mary Baker Eddy has n't a copyright on them. I don't care who has it: if it's true; if it's real; if it's honest; if it's good—it came from God and I want it." The bishop is to be admired for his breadth of view, his Christian tolerance, and his freedom from the bigoted pedantry which would impel the attempt, on the part of some less wise ministers of the gospel, to tear down and disrupt in their sermons and published utterances that which is fundamental and sacred in another's religion, simply because they refuse to recognize the good and truth therein contained.

The bishop's remarks concerning Christian Science are very true, and concur with similar statements made by its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy. In an article entitled "Plagiarism," in her book "Retrospection and Introspection," Mrs. Eddy has written (p. 76), "Christian Science is not copyrighted; nor would protection by copyright be requisite, if mortals obeyed God's law of manright." It is indeed right to take the good, the honest, the real, the true from any religion, because it is this and only this which comes from God; and it certainly was not the desire of Mrs. Eddy to restrict in any way one's obtaining the good which is to be received from her teachings. While all of her published writings and all of the periodicals issued by The Christian Science Publishing Society are copyrighted, this has been done to preserve the purity of the teachings of Christian Science; but the spiritual truth therein is for all who care to avail themselves of it. On pages 21 and 22 of "Pulpit and Press" Mrs. Eddy has written: "Our unity with churches of other denominations must rest on the spirit of Christ calling us together. ... All Christian churches have one bond of unity, one nucleus or point of convergence, one prayer,—the Lord's Prayer. ... If the lives of Christian Scientists attest their fidelity to Truth, I predict that in the twentieth century every Christian church in our land, and a few in far-off lands, will approximate the understanding of Christian Science sufficiently to heal the sick in his name." In the textbook of this religion, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 98), Mrs. Eddy has said: "Beyond the frail premises of human beliefs, above the loosening grasp of creeds, the demonstration of Christian Mind-healing stands a revealed and practical Science. It is imperious throughout all ages as Christ's revelation of Truth, of Life, and of Love, which remains inviolate for every man to understand and to practise."