The News recently gave notice of a series of sermons to be delivered in one of the local churches, and in it linked the names Christian Science, Theosophy, Spiritualism, New Thought, and Unity in a way likely to leave the impression that these movements have much in common, which is not the case.
I am told that in the sermon reported in your paper recently, this statement was made: "Christian Science claims to be based solely on the Bible, and to be in harmony with the gospel of Jesus.
A clergyman is reported to have warned his hearers, in an address, against the attack that rationalism in the form of Christian Science was making on Christianity.
Recently
the writer was told by a lady who had been under Christian Science treatment for some time, of the different practitioners who had treated her and the lines along which they had worked.
To the student of Christian Science fundamental truths contained in the Bible seem to unfold in limitless ways, thus proving the infinitude of the one Mind.
One
of the many attempts to hinder Nehemiah in his great work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was an open letter to him in which was written, "It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king.
Long
years ago the Spartans were led to a great victory by a schoolmaster whose only weapon was his lute, which put into men's hearts the inspiration of song; and history records many other instances which go to prove that oftentimes it is joy which inspires the world to its heroic deeds.
An
earnest and successful practitioner put a question like this: How is it that in some cases there will be great improvement, and the patient will be a wonder to friends and acquaintances, and then sometimes he will apparently forget what has been gained, allow his enthusiasm to cease, or perhaps turn aside into worldly involvements, until it seems to the practitioner as if his work must begin all over again?
To most people a fair way by which to judge any system of religion would be by the results it brings or the effect it has on the lives of its adherents; but not so with our critic, for he concludes that the vast throng of people benefited by Christian Science improved "in spite of its shortcomings.
A communication raises the primary question as to whether we shall endeavor to ascertain the spiritual meaning of the Bible, be content with its literal meaning, or try to harmonize the literal and the spiritual meaning and use them both.