LETTERS TO THE PRESS

from Christian Science Committees on Publication

Devonshire, England Torquay Directory-South Devon Journal

May I, on behalf of Christian Scientists, express appreciation for the helpful remarks in an article entitled "Tolerance," published in a recent issue of your paper, relative to a lecture on Christian Science delivered at Babbacombe.

I would, however, be glad of an opportunity of stating for the benefit of your readers the viewpoint of Christian Science on the author's comment that "it would seem that there is no essential difference between the Christian Science idea of how to cure individual and social ills, and that put forward by the more orthodox churches."

In doing so, I cannot do better than quote the following succinct statement on this very subject by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, in her book entitled "Unity of Good" (pp. 9, 10): "What is the cardinal point of the difference in my metaphysical system? This: that by knowing the unreality of disease, sin, and death, you demonstrate the allness of God. This difference wholly separates my system from all others. The reality of these so-called existences I deny, because they are not to be found in God, and this system is built on Him as the sole cause."

Oslo, Norway Vârt Land

In a recent issue of Vårt Land there is an article entitled "The Handwriting on the Wall." Among other things, it mentions Christian Science as one of the "false prophets and Messiahs" of modern times and as one of the movements contributing to "the increasing religious confusion."

When Jesus warned his listeners against false prophets, he gave them at the same time a rule by which they could tell in each case whether the prophet was true or false. He said: "Ye shall know them by their fruits.... A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

Those who become adherents of Christian Science do so because they have found by experience that it brings forth "the fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22). They are grateful for the new light it has thrown on the Bible, giving them a better understanding of God and of man's relation to Him, of Christ Jesus and his mission. Many have also been healed through Christian Science of serious diseases after all other means have failed.

On page 17 in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, we read that "at a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association, April 12, 1879, on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted,—To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing."

Christian Scientists everywhere can bear grateful witness that the Christian Science church is fulfilling the purpose for which it was founded.

Somersetshire, England West Somerset Free Press, Minehead

May I be allowed space in your paper to answer some of the statements made by one of your correspondents in a recent issue on the subject of Christian Science.

The correspondent feels that Christian Scientists ignore Jesus' teaching regarding the Godhead. On the contrary, they follow this teaching closely by taking Jesus' own words as a guide. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke the incident is recounted of a ruler coming to Jesus and addressing him as "good Master." Jesus' reply is well known: "Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God." If he had been himself God, would he have made that particular and, may I say, corrective answer? Further study of all the Gospels proves that Jesus frequently referred to himself as the Son of God, but never as God.

Christian Scientists do recognize Jesus as "the Way." The term "Way-shower," to which your correspondent takes exception, is merely used to express their acknowledgment that the understanding of his teaching is the way to eternal life.

Far from looking upon the cross as "a tragedy, not a triumph," Christian Scientists regard the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension as Jesus' triumphal victory over all the beliefs of material existence, including death. As proof of this, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, in her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," writes on page 117, "Human theories are inadequate to interpret the divine Principle involved in the miracles (marvels) wrought by Jesus and especially in his mighty, crowning, unparalleled, and triumphant exit from the flesh."

Although Christian Scientists do not have the rite of physical baptism, they recognize the necessity of spiritual baptism, as shown by the following definition from the textbook (p. 581): "Baptism. Purification by Spirit; submergence in Spirit;" and again, on page 35, "Our baptism is a purification from all error." Surely this is the true baptism for all Christians.

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December 18, 1948

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