Editorial February 28, 1931 Issue

A Review of Reviews

Clifford P. Smith

Since its publication last October, Dr. Lyman P. Powell's life of Mary Baker Eddy has been reviewed extensively in most of the countries where Christian Science is known and English is easily read. Particularly, it has been reviewed in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As a whole, the reviews furnish ample basis for concluding (1) that Mrs. Eddy is gaining at least steadily in the esteem of the entire public, and (2) that Dr. Powell's book has helped and will help to make her correctly and favorably known. These comments are made by one who has seen nearly every published reference to Christian Science or to Mrs. Eddy for more than fifteen years.

Although Dr. Powell did not write especially for the purpose of refutation, his book is serving this purpose by presenting facts instead of fiction, comprehension instead of misconstruction. Further, and apart from justice to Mrs. Eddy, his book is serving a good purpose of universal value by furnishing a wholesome contrast to biographies and similar writings that cater to the baser impulses and lower instincts of mankind. It is intrinsically strange that the public includes any considerable number of people who like to read labored attempts to discredit or disparage distinguished persons. It is even more strange that any considerable number of persons who profess to be interested in spiritual achievements seem loath to give much credit to Mrs. Eddy. It is still more strange that even a few speakers or writers for other religions continue to be captious or deprecatory toward the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

Perhaps we Christian Scientists ought to evince more appreciation than we do for all good deeds, by whomsoever they are done. To this effect we have a lesson from the great Teacher in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). Jesus was consistent and insistent in pointing steadfastly to the way located by Moses and opened by himself. Nevertheless, he taught that we should give credit according to their deeds to travelers in divergent or parallel ways. The Samaritans of his time were a mixed people, partly Jewish and partly of other races; hence, they were peculiarly objectionable to the pure Jews of every sect. "The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). Yet, Jesus chose a Samaritan for the creditable part in one of the most beautiful and instructive of all parables. Doubtless, one point of this story is that my neighbor is anybody whom I have an opportunity to help. In the same story, however, there is another lesson—one for which Paul furnished apt words when he said (Romans 13:7), "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; ... honour to whom honour."

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