Article April 2, 1927 Issue

Intrinsically, it is strange that a preacher employed to...

Judge Clifford P. Smith,—Lowell

Courier-Citizen

Intrinsically, it is strange that a preacher employed to revive interest in religion can be disposed to ridicule or speak against those religions which he does not represent; he would better preach his own gospel. For one reason, a minister of religion disposed to ridicule or speak against the faiths of other people who are equally sincere is not apt to be a fair-minded critic.

The foregoing observations allude to a report in the Courier-Citizen that a revivalist at Lowell ridiculed Christian Science and said that it takes people away from the Christian religion. Christian Science is not ridiculous to its adherents, nor to a good many people who are not yet its adherents. The intolerant assertion that Christian Science is not Christianity cannot be more than a personal opinion. The New Testament is the standard by which to test what is Christianity, and all fair-minded people are invited to acquaint themselves with Christian Science and judge for themselves whether its teaching and practice is Christian. The authorized literature of Christian Science is to be found in public libraries and in Christian Science Reading Rooms.

The attitude of Christian Scientists toward other denominations is stated by Mrs. Eddy as follows: "If ecclesiastical sects or medical schools turn a deaf ear to the teachings of Christian Science, then part from these opponents as did Abraham when he parted from Lot, and say in thy heart: 'Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren'" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 444).