Article December 9, 1933 Issue

In your issue of the 23d instant, a correspondent makes...

John H. O'Loughlin, former Committee on Publication for Northumberland, England,—Whitley Bay

Whitley Seaside Chronicle

In your issue of the 23d instant, a correspondent makes an attack on certain teachings, including Christian Science. Let me say at once that Christian Science differs fundamentally from the other teachings mentioned by him, and would not be classified therewith by anyone who had even a slight knowledge of the subject. Your correspondent makes another mistake in thinking Christian Science antiscriptural. Christian Scientists gladly submit to the test laid down by our Master: "By their fruits ye shall know them." As a result of their study of the Scriptures, as interpreted by Christian Science, Christian Scientists throughout the civilized world are reforming the sinner and healing the sick through spiritual means alone, as Jesus did, thus proving the practical value of the Master's promises: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;" and, "These signs shall follow them that believe." They are thus endeavoring to obey in full our Master's command to preach the gospel and heal the sick. It is clear that the teaching which makes these things possible not be called antiscriptural. Further, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, states that Christian Science is founded wholly on "the teachings and demonstrations of our great Master and the lives of prophets and apostles," that the Bible was her only authority, and that she had no other guide in "the strait and narrow way of Truth" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, pp. 103, 104). The first tenet of Christian Science given by her in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 497), is, "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life."

It would appear that the attack resulted from an address by a visiting preacher, who, according to your correspondent, encouraged his hearers "to resist the inroads of these souldestroying heresies." In so far as this refers to Christian Science I would say that if it be heresy to practice the teachings of the Master, to walk humbly in his footsteps, and to obey his commands in full to the best of one's ability, then indeed Christian Scientists are like Paul, who said: "After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets."

Your correspondent should obtain a copy of the Christian Science textbook from any Christian Science Reading Room, or from a public library, and read it without prejudice. He can then prove for himself that the words of our Master recorded in the Scriptures have the same practical value today as they had over nineteen hundred years ago. Until he has thus investigated Christian Science, his opinions thereon cannot be helpful.

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