Article July 30, 1927 Issue

In your recent issue you copied for your readers an article...

Miss Florence Louise Carrington, Committee on Publication for Barbados, British West Indies,—Bridgetown

Weekly Herald

In your recent issue you copied for your readers an article out of John O' London's Weekly by Harold Begbie, entitled, "The Faith of the Christian Scientist." No doubt, the one who is intrusted with the work of correcting misconceptions of Christian Science in the press in London will have dealt with it in a subsequent issue of John O'London's Weekly, but as that is not at hand will you kindly allow me to do so locally, for I know it is never your intention to mislead your readers on any subject. The article infers that Christian Scientists do not concern themselves with attacks made on the moral character and sincerity of Mrs. Eddy, the Founder of the Christian Science movement, but this assertion is utterly false; Christian Scientists have always been awake to correct attacks on the character of their Leader. The world has ever attacked and vilified its greatest benefactors; it was said of our Master, Christ Jesus, that he was a gluttonous man and a winebibber, and much else besides; and we remember also that Tyndale was cruelly imprisoned and afterwards burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English—now our greatest treasure. The charge referred to in Mr. Begbie's articles that Mrs. Eddy had acquired her "notions" from a faith healer, one Dr. Quimby, is dealt with in full in her biography and is surely worn too thin by now to need refutation. Dr. Quimby was a mesmerist whom Mrs. Eddy consulted about her health many years before she discovered Christian Science. Christian Science is the exact opposite of mesmerism and hypnotism; therefore it is obvious that Mrs. Eddy could not have used any of Dr. Quimby's "notions" in her practice and presentation of Christian Science.

Although the article assures us that "she is accused by men of great reputation in the United States" and "industriously exposed by responsible men who carry weight in her country" (not a very laudable effort on their part certainly!), yet there are thousands and thousands of men and women "of real distinction" as the article acknowledges, who honor, reverence, and gratefully love her for the help and healing that has come into their lives through her teaching and publications, which have made the Bible an open book to them. This would not be possible if she were not deserving of such regard. One of her countrywomen, Miss Clara Barton, the founder of the Red Cross in America, acknowledged her worth thus: "She is the one person, regardless of sex, living to-day who has done the greatest good for her fellow creatures. Love permeates all the teachings of this woman, so great, I believe, that at this perspective we can scarcely realize how great—and looking into her life history we see nothing but self-sacrifice and unselfishness. Mrs. Eddy should have the respect, admiration, and love of the whole nation, for she is its greatest woman." The American poet Whittier, Bronson Alcott, and Wendell Phillips were among her illustrious countrymen who acknowledged her worth. The "fortune amassed" was solely through the sale of her books. She lived simply and quietly and bequeathed her fortune to bless mankind.

Christian Science is defined by Mrs. Eddy as "the law of God, the law of good, interpreting and demonstrating the divine Principle and rule of universal harmony" (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 1), and its teachings are leading the whole world to a better understanding of God as "universal, eternal, divine Love, which changeth not and causeth no evil, disease, nor death" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 140). It is the only God that every man or woman in his heart of hearts wants; the only one that can satisfy. Finally, Jesus said: "The tree is known by his fruit." "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ... Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

In your recent issue you copied for your readers an article...

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access