Hon. George W. Savage, House of Representatives, Austin, Texas.

Dear Sir:—Your letter of inquiry is before me, and as you say the questions are asked in the spirit of kindness, I will endeavor to give them such consideration as I can in a letter, trusting that you will receive the answer in the same kindly spirit. You refer me to Acts, 2:37; 9:6, and 16:30, and ask, "What answer do Christian Scientists make?" The substance of these verses is this: "What must we do to be saved?" I would answer in Bible language, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." This includes more than is apparent at a glance. It means vastly more than the mere belief that Jesus was the one sent to redeem the world. If we believe in the Master, we shall believe that his words were true, that his commands were to be fully obeyed, and that he is "the way, the truth, and the life."

To the young man who wished to know specifically what he lacked, the Master answered, "Come and follow me." How are we to follow the Master unless by following his example in casting out all manner of evil, sickness, as well as sin. The Master plainly said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." This is what Christian Scientists are endeavoring to do. They are striving to deny material selfhood and seek the recognition of a higher selfhood, even a life "hid with Christ in God." They are endeavoring to put all evil out of consciousness, knowing that it has no place in God or His creation. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Can we say we love the Master while failing to walk in the way he mapped out for us? The same sentence that commands us to preach the "Glad Tidings" tells us also to heal the sick, and thus only can the Gospel be a full Gospel. (Vide Luke, 9:2, and Matthew, 10:7,8.) Shall we tell a man the "kingdom of heaven is at hand," free him from the bondage of sin through the power of divine Love, but leave him in the clutches of disease, thinking that there God is of no help?

When the light of Christian Science shines in a man's heart it brings to him a vital and practical Christianity. It heals him physically and morally, and assures him that he is a true believer according to the Master's own definition in the last chapter of the Gospel of Mark. Such an one needs no further assurance that he has truly believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Scriptures demand, and in proportion to his demonstration is he saved, because he has both internal and external evidence of the allness and power of God.

Christian Scientists believe in the baptism of Spirit. They seek demonstrable proof of the ever-present power of Christ in casting out sin, sickness, and all manner of evil. They are not sticklers for forms, creeds, and ceremonies.

It is sometimes said that Christians to-day are not enjoined to do the works that were done by the disciples. I commend to your prayerful consideration the following passage from Matthew, 28:19, which is a literal translation from the original Greek (Rotherham): "Going, therefore, disciple ye all the nations, immersing them into the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things as many as I myself command you," etc. Here is a definite, unambiguous statement. All nations are to become as the disciples through the understanding of a practical Christianity, being immersed by the baptism of Spirit into all Truth. Furthermore, the great Teacher plainly declares that the nations are to do all things that he commanded his immediate followers to do. There we must leave it. The great body of people known as Christian Scientists, who use for their text-books the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, have been raised up as a living monument to the practicability of Christianity as above set forth. We truly believe that such as these are being saved, inasmuch as the signs follow their belief in Christ as the Way, and this is the test of true discipleship.

"What must men do to become members of a Church of Christ, Scientist?" Believers in Christian Science using for guidance and instruction in Christian Science only the Bible and Science and Health with other works by the same author, may unite with the churches of this denomination by signing the tenets and rules of these churches. All churches have the same tenets, which you will find on page 493 of Science and Health. There is no formal ceremony in joining a Church of Christ, Scientist, and applicants are usually received on a Sunday on which the Communion is observed.

In answer to your question, "Why is Science and Health sold so high?" I refer you to an answer to the same question in the Christian Science Sentinel of March 2, 1899, a copy of which I mail you. Replying to your further query, "If it is an equal companion with the Bible or, in your words a 'Key to the Scriptures,' why sell it at at least three times the price?" The book Science and Health has, at the present time, not the means of circulation that the Bible has. The book is published and circulated at great cost. Means are necessary for the promulgation of this great Cause. If orthodox Christians would join hands in seeking to aid this Cause instead of denouncing it, and placing all manner of hindrance in the way, it is just possible that these books might be produced cheaper. This is merely my opinion, and I have no authority to make any statement regarding the possible future price of the book. I am personally acquainted with those who are managing the publication of Christian Science literature, and I know they are working unselfishly and not for money, and are giving to the world this literature at a price which must be governed by divine Principle. Orthodox Christians annually contribute thousands of dollars to Bible societies for the purpose of aiding in distributing books and lessening their cost. Are they equally willing to render their assistance in the distribution of Christian Science literature? If they are not, the question, "Why is the literature sold higher than missionary Bible literature," should not be asked. The price of the book, Science and Health, is no index to its value. For the good I have received from Christian Science I would not take all the money you could pile up in the Hall of Representatives, and I am only one among thousands in like position. I will say, furthermore, that in my ten years active service in Christian Science, as minister, Reader, and practitioner, I have never known of a single instance where any one who was really in earnest failed to own a Science and Health.

I most earnestly advise you to make a prayerful and unprejudiced study of Christian Science. The great Leader in this Cause, the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, is laboring unselfishly for the race. Let all Christians who would glorify God in word and deed lend a helping hand, and so may they all be redeemed from evil and "be saved" through following in the footsteps of the great Way-shower.

Sincerely yours,
R. L. Ziller.