Article April 20, 1929 Issue

In an article published anonymously in your paper recently...

Count Sigge Cronstedt, Committee on Publication for Sweden,—Sweden (translation)

Vasterviksposten

In an article published anonymously in your paper recently under the heading "Christian Science," there appear attacks against its teachings and its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy. This is done, it is said, in order to show "how this body [the Christian Science movement] is regarded by the science of religious history." How did the scribes and the Pharisees of his time look upon the teachings of Christ Jesus? "Crucity him, crucity him," was the cry they raised. Christ Jesus' simple but very practical rule to know what is right and true is, "The tree is known by his fruit." When John the Baptist's disciples stood questioning the Master, Jesus pointed to the fruits of his teachings. Christian Science satisfies those to whom it has brought good fruits in lives regenerated both physically and morally. If this teaching were what its opponents aver, it would long ago have ceased to win adherents. But honest seekers for Truth are rallying to Christian Science from all walks of life, and among these are to be found many who are recognized as intelligent and logically trained thinkers—academically educated men and women. This teaching is, then, not "something foolish and ridiculous." Why those unreasonable attacks from Christian bretheren upon a Christian teaching which they do not understand or wish to accept! Everyone who has really understood the teaching of Christian Science is in some measure able to apply it. Why this repeating of untrue statements about Mrs. Eddy and Christian Science, statements which have often been refuted, and which even before the courts have been proved to be without foundation! The utterances of certain individuals regarding Christian Science are not only intolerant, but show a complete misunderstanding of what Christian Science teaches; and they give little or no credit to its fruits. If one really wants to understand this teaching, the best way is honestly to study its textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy; and to do so, not in order to ratify one's own preconceived or biased opinions, but to learn and gain divine wisdom.

Prayer and faith are intimately woven into the practice of Christian Science, as may clearly be seen by the following words of the chapter on Prayer in the Christian Science textbook (p. 1): "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God,—a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love." The Preface to the same book begins with these encouraging words: "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." Herein we find a satisfactory definition of the prayer of faith that will heal the sick.

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