Article September 15, 1928 Issue

In a feature story published by you recently there is given a...

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

Morning Telegraph

In a feature story published by you recently there is given a wrong impression which I would appreciate space to correct. In the writer's statement that Christian Science is the "highest form of philosophical conception of the American optimism," he entirely overlooks the fact that Christian Science is the Christian religion, conforming in detail to Webster's dictionary definition of the term "religion." It is based squarely on the words and works of Christ Jesus, accepts the inspired words of the Bible, and acknowledges Christ Jesus as the Son of God. As for optimism constituting "the national American element in Christian Science," it should be said that optimism may be regarded only as a by-product of this religion, resulting naturally from the practical and successful application of the teachings of Jesus the Christ to the daily needs and problems of mankind. Optimism is the natural outcome of that faith in God, which through half a century has, in Christian Science, successfully stood the test of opposition and persecution, and wherever fairly tried has met the needs of humanity. The writer's statement that he has never heard of a French or an Irish Christian Scientist indicates, further, that his information on the subject did not come from a reliable source. Paris alone has two Christian Science churches, and Ireland has three churches. France has twenty-three registered Christian Science practitioners, including one teacher. Ireland has nineteen registered Christian Science practitioners, including two teachers. The churches in both these countries are prosperous, have large congregations, and are steadily growing. There are many French and Irish Christian Scientists in other parts of the world as well. Many reliable facts on this subject are easily obtainable at any Christian Science Reading Room or through The Christian Science Journal.

As for Christian Science being "utterly American," the charge ignores the fact that this religion is universal in its application and scope, and that it is being sought and understood by all classes in all parts of the civilized world. The Christian Science Monitor, published by The Christian Science Publishing Society, is an international daily newspaper; the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, are being translated into the languages of the principal peoples of the earth; and monthly Christian Science magazines, Der Herold der Christian Science and Le Héraut de Christian Science, are published in French and German. Mrs. Eddy states on page 494 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the textbook of Christian Science: "It is not well to imagine that Jesus demonstrated the divine power to heal only for a select number or for a limited period of time, since to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good."

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