Christian Science not Mysticism

W. D. McCrackan

New York Commercial Advertiser

Editor of Commercial Advertiser.

Sir:—Your issue of July 12 contains the review of a book which purports to deal with Christian Science, but takes refuge in describing it as "only a phase of mysticism." Such a characterization implies that the writer is not sufficiently versed in his subject to describe it accurately. Christian Scientists themselves do not find their own faith mystical. It is, on the contrary, for them exactly what its name indicates, the science which explains how the Christ life and its teachings and practice are to be interpreted, so as to be applied in our own time and in our daily affairs. The assertion is also made "that it embodies a much profounder truth than Mrs. Eddy or any of her followers realize." What warrant has any one for indulging in such an assumption who is not a Christian Scientist, and who does not profess to live according to its teachings or to practise its method of mental, moral, and physical regeneration? I find it hard to believe that any one who calls this Science "only a phase of mysticism" is in any position to inform Mrs. Eddy or other Christian Scientists concerning any profounder truth which it may embody.

The writer of this book shows lack of ordinary information when he implies that "the principle involved is the same, so far as its therapeutic value is concerned, as that of mental scientists, divine healers, and hypnotists."

Without desiring to detract in any way from any good which may be accomplished by others, Christian Scientists must protest against this classification as absolutely erroneous. Their understanding of the nature of man as spiritual and not material, of disease as a temporal falsity, and of mortal mind as the supposed opposite of the immortal Mind, differentiates their "principle" fundamentally from that of the systems above mentioned. Nor is it true "that all these cure the same kinds of disease, and the same kinds of disease are incurable by them all so far as can be known." Not only is the "principle" involved in Christian Science totally different from that of any other system, but its results are also distinct. By it have been healed the very diseases which psychopathic specialists declare to be incurable by mental treatment.

Christian Scientists are conscious of the great work which still remains to be done before they can worthily execute the glorious commission intrusted to them in behalf of all Christendom, but the day of a clearer understanding is now dawning, and they extend the hand of fellowship and brotherhood to those who have at times misunderstood their aims and purposes.

W. D. McCrackan.
In the New York Commercial Advertiser.

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