LETTERS TO THE PRESS FROM CHRISTIAN SCIENCE COMMITTEES ON PUBLICATION
Portland, Oregon
Oregon Journal
In his article entitled "Christianity 2000 A. D.," which appeared in the Oregon Journal, a bishop presents his conclusion that the next fifty years will see Christianity and science united for the service of men.
Many of your readers will be encouraged by this possibility, but they are entitled to know that Christian Scientists are not an example of a Christian people lacking in science, as the quotation employed by the bishop implies.
Christ Jesus assured the woman of Samaria, "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23 ), and he encouraged those who believed on him with the familiar words, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32 ).
In word and work the Master proved the power of demonstrable truth or Science to heal the sick, redeem the sinner, and raise the dead. But this Science was spiritual and not material; it was the knowledge of God, or Spirit, and of man in His image and likeness.
"The term Science, properly understood, refers only to the laws of God and to His government of the universe, inclusive of man." This definitive statement was written by Mary Baker Eddy and appears on page 128 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," of which she is the author.
The many indisputable evidences of healing and regeneration through Christian Science refute any suggestion that its adherents are lacking in a demonstrable knowledge of the laws of God. That Science and Christianity, the law and the gospel, unite for the service of men is not so much a future probability as it is a present actuality.
Turlock, Northern California
Turlock Daily Journal
It was with much interest that I read the account of Mary Baker Eddy in "Today's Grab Bag" in a recent issue of the Daily Journal. As there was one important point, however, on which the writer had evidently been misinformed, I should appreciate your giving space for this letter.
"Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," written by Mrs. Eddy and published in 1875, is the Christian Science textbook, but it is not the Christian Science Bible. The Christian Science Bible is the same Bible that is used in Protestant churches (the King James Version), and the Christian Science Lesson-Sermon, which is read in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, is made up of citations from the Bible and from the textbook. As the name of the textbook indicates, Science and Health does not take the place of the Scriptures, but is a key to the Scriptures.
The discovery of Christian Science occurred in 1866 when Mrs. Eddy, after many years of searching the Scriptures, was healed of what were considered fatal effects of an injury by turning to the Bible and gaining new light from the account of Jesus' healing of the man sick of the palsy, as given in the ninth chapter of Matthew. She then devoted three years to consecrated study of the Bible in order to understand the Science which made her healing possible. Later, when she wrote the textbook, she stated (Science and Health, p. 126 ): "The Bible has been my only authority. I have had no other guide in 'the straight and narrow way' of Truth."
Houston, Texas
The Houston Press
The article headed "Ancient Order Got Its U. S. Start in Houston," which appeared in a recent issue of The Houston Press, contained interesting historical data on what was referred to as the "Rosicrucian" cult. But the article may have left a wrong impression as to the divine origin and nature of Christian Science in mistakenly classifying this religion along with theosophy and pantheism.
That Christian Science is pure religion based solely upon the Bible, is therefore not a cult, and is in no sense derived from material systems or human philosophy, is readily seen from the following statement written by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science: "I have set forth Christian Science and its application to the treatment of disease just as I have discovered them. I have demonstrated through Mind the effects of Truth on the health, longevity, and morals of men; and I have found nothing in ancient or in modern systems on which to found my own, except the teachings and demonstrations of our great Master and the lives of prophets and apostles. The Bible has been my only authority. I have had no other guide in 'the straight and narrow way' of Truth" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 126 ).
Although the reference to Christian Science in your newspaper was no doubt not intended to be harmful, and was obviously not unkind, in fairness to your readers who may not know the difference between pantheism, human philosophy, and the religion of Christian Science, I shall greatly appreciate your giving space to the printing of this letter.
