Article January 19, 1929 Issue

As it has been translated for me, the article on Christian Science...

Judge Clifford P. Smith, Committee on Publication of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts,—Winnipeg

Canada Posten

As it has been translated for me, the article on Christian Science in your issue of October 9 included more errors than actual information. Christian Science is not like new-thought, nor is Christian Science practice like suggestion or human will-power. The "Dr." Quimby mentioned in the article practiced what is commonly called personal magnetism. He did not found a movement, nor was he a teacher. Mrs. Eddy went to him to be cured, and all that she got from him was a degree of temporary relief. As Mrs. Eddy has said, "Christian Science teaches only that which is spiritual and divine, and not human" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 99). The endeavor and the prayer of the Christian Scientist is that God's will shall prevail in human life. For the same reason, Christian Science does not teach that anyone can save himself by his own power. On the contrary, Christian Scientists follow Christ Jesus by declaring, "I can of mine own self do nothing." Mrs. Eddy regarded herself as having been inspired exactly as other spiritually-minded persons may be. The inspiration which enabled her to discover Christian Science, preach its good news, and found its church, differed in degree from the inspiration manifested by other devout persons, but Christian Science teaches that inspiration is equivalent to spiritual understanding. The assertions that Mrs. Eddy is regarded as the female principle in God and as the equal of Christ are fictions invented by opponents.

In Canada there are sixty Churches of Christ, Scientist, and Christian Science Societies which hold public services. Each of them, also, maintains a Reading Room for the convenience of the public, and provides a lecture on Christian Science in a public auditorium at least once a year. Furthermore, Mrs. Eddy's principal work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and her authorized biography can be found in most of the public libraries, while the Christian Science periodicals can be borrowed from any Christian Scientist. Therefore, anyone who desires information about Christian Science would do well to get it from these authentic sources. It is true that Christian Scientists give more attention to the healing of disease by spiritual treatment than is given by other Christians. In this, however, as in all things, we endeavor to follow the example and the instructions of Christ Jesus. He healed the sick; he instructed his disciples and his followers to do the same; and he instructed his disciples to say to them whom they healed, "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Christian healing, therefore, does more than restore health; it has a moral and a spiritual value. As Mrs. Eddy has said (Science and Health, p. 466), "Science will declare God aright, and Christianity will demonstrate this declaration and its divine Principle, making mankind better physically, morally, and spiritually."

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