Article September 28, 1929 Issue

A few days ago an evangelist in your city took occasion...

Judge H. L. Standeven, Committee on Publication for the State of Oklahoma,

Lawton Constitution

A few days ago an evangelist in your city took occasion to criticize the teachings of Christian Science, a report of which was published in your paper on November 22, 1928. The criticisms were, in the main, based upon his concept of Christian Science and not upon the real teachings of Christian Science. The criticisms directed against our Cause are the same stock charges that have been made for the past fifty years by those who have attempted to retard the progress of this movement. Evidently the efforts of these evangelists have not been successful, as the Christian Science movement has made the most wonderful progress in its history during the past few years.

Many of the broad-minded orthodox Christian ministers recognize the good that is being done by Christian Science. As evidence of this I quote from a sermon delivered by the Reverend Torrance Phelps, pastor of the First Congregational Church at Kalamazoo, Michigan, which was published in the Kalamazoo Gazette. Referring to Christian Science the Reverend Phelps, among other things, said: "This new religious movement has never been fairly evaluated by orthodoxy. Nevertheless it has continued to grow at a remarkable rate and has drawn religious people from all sects. ... In the first place, orthodoxy has largely emphasized the life hereafter. Churches have wasted their strength quibbling over doctrines, while the great masses of humanity have been hungering for a practical religion. These new religious movements have furnished a definite program of daily help. ... Again, Christian Science has reminded us that we live in a spiritual universe — that the real things are the invisibles." He also said that "Christian Science has also emphasized the reality of God, teaching the God of power, an idea commensurate with the vast and infinite universe." The Reverend Phelps declared that "the great need of the orthodox church is to reestablish the healing ministry."

We shall answer our critic in the words of Jesus. When John sent his disciples to inquire of him if he were the Messiah, Jesus said: "Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." He also said later on in his ministry: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father;" and again, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Christian Science is known by its fruits. It is literally fulfilling the commands of the Master. Thousands of authenticated testimonies of healing through it have been received. Its teaching is bringing happiness, peace, joy, and contentment to its followers. "For which of those works do ye stone me? Just why some Christian ministers should continue to criticize Christian Science is beyond the enlightened thought of the prseent age. True Christians should adopt the attitude of Jesus toward those of differing beliefs. It is recorded: "And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

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September 28, 1929
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