In a recent issue of your paper there appeared an excerpt...

From Letters, Substantially as Published

Muncie Star

In a recent issue of your paper there appeared an excerpt from a sermon delivered by a clergyman which I think is very timely, and will no doubt do a great good to those who have read it or who heard the sermon. However, the speaker is reported to have said that "there is nothing new about Christian Science," and that "Christian Science was taught as a philosophy by Hegel." We can agree with the first statement, but the latter statement is a mistake, and, while it no doubt was made as a result of misinformation and with no thought of criticizing our religion, I feel that it should be corrected.

We read in the book of Ecclesiastes, "There is no new thing under the sun." Christian Science is as old as Truth itself, but it was not until the latter part of the nineteenth century that it was discovered by Mary Baker Eddy and reduced to demonstrable, practical rules, which can be applied to all phases of human affairs. Mrs. Eddy had been deeply religious and a great Bible student since childhood. Therefore, when she was suffering from what seemed to be a fatal accident, it was most natural that she turned to her Bible for help, and was marvelously healed. This led to her discovery. Since then there have been many efforts made to discredit her right to be known as the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, but in every instance her claim has been vindicated.

The following statements by Mrs. Eddy, taken from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," give conclusive evidence that her authority came directly from the Bible (pp. 110, 126, 269): "In following these leadings of scientific revelation, the Bible was my only textbook. The Scriptures were illumined; reason and revelation were reconciled, and afterwards the truth of Christian Science was demonstrated. No human pen nor tongue taught me the Science contained in this book, SCIENCE AND HEALTH; and neither tongue nor pen can overthrow it." "The Bible has been my only authority. I have had no other guide in 'the straight and narrow way' of Truth." "I therefore plant myself unreservedly on the teachings of Jesus, of his apostles, of the prophets, and on the testimony of the Science of Mind. Other foundations there are none."

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