Article August 6, 1932 Issue

As the critic admits, the author of a recent book evidently...

Dr. David A. Giel, Committee on Publication for Holland,—Groningen, Holland (translation)

Groninger Kerkblad

As the critic admits, the author of a recent book evidently does not understand the teaching of Christian Science. He writes that "for the rest he cannot find his way in her [Mrs. Eddy's] ideas." And he falls into the error of many people of ascribing to Christian Science the absurd teaching that one by the mere denying of evil's reality or power would be free from all evil. It goes without saying that one is able to demonstrate the unreality or powerlessness of evil only in so far as he in his own thought and life succeeds in purifying himself from evil beliefs, through a realization of the allness of God, good, and learns in this way to resist their temptations. This has nothing in common with either suggestion or Coueism. The author judges the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science quite apart from her teaching. The woman who established a world organization like the Christian Science church, with all that pertains to it, in spite of fierece opposition from all sides, and who was allowed while still on earth to witness the immense fruitfulness of her work, for that reason alone stands too high to be judged in any other way than with respect. Christian Science was discovered by Mrs. Eddy, and she must be judged from the fruits of Christian Science. Did not Jesus give us as the one and only test, that one should be known by his fruits? "For the tree is known by his fruit."

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 116): "In time of religious or scientific prosperity, certain individuals are inclined to cling to the personality of its leader. This state of mind is sickly; it is a contagion—a mental malady, which must be met and overcome. Why? Because it would dethrone the First Commandment, Thou shalt have one God." And on page 120 of the same book, "Those who look for me in person, or elsewhere than in my writings, lose me instead of find me." Again, in her Message to The Mother Church for 1901 (p. 34), "Follow your Leader only so far as she follows Christ."

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