The Northwestern Weekly Review seems to have become a clearing-house for exchange of opinions, and its courtesy should be thoroughly appreciated. If each writer is sincere from his own point of view, and willing to concede the same position to his neighbor, much good may result. The articles by A. K. Sweet and J. H. Dempster are kindly in their reference to Christian Science and its followers, and had the writers pursued their quest to an understanding of the Principle and practise involved, instead of being satisfied with a superficial examination of the teaching, I am quite sure neither would have made the statements he did.

The first of these gentlemen tells us that Christian Science is far from being "philosophic or scientific," and this is where we differ. It would not be considered fair to judge the rules of mathematics by the badly worked out problem of a student, or the science of electricity by the work of one who had not sufficient understanding of the laws involved to gain the success which would have crowned close adherence to established rules. The same test should govern the critic or investigator of Christian Science. The fact that one may have followed out experiments along a material method of healing to the point of even calling it a science, gives him no right to claim that a mental or spiritual system is not a science.

Science according to the best dictionary authorities, is defined as "knowledge gained and verified by exact observation and right thinking." The subject is divided into several classes, one of which is "absolute science," defined as "definite knowledge of things as they actually exist," and another is "active science," or "systematic knowledge put to practical use." To both of these classes Christian Science claims close relations. It starts with the assumption that God is the only real intelligence or source of knowledge, and whatever intelligence is expressed through humanity is from that divine source. The works of Christ Jesus were founded on this fact. Every one of his healing works was based on the fundamental truth that man was created in the image and likeness of God. He understood that if God is the omnipotent, perfect One, then His spiritual child or reflection, man, is always perfect, and can never be otherwise than perfect.

Jesus saw still farther, that the birthright of dominion given man at the creation, included environment of every nature. It was through this understanding that he was able to destroy the false material sense which held in bondage those who came to him for help. The Master never claimed to do any of his great works of his own power. He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing;" "the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." He also said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." It is this work that Christian Scientists are taking up in obedience to Jesus' command. If from lack of full understanding or sufficient spirituality they do not always bring out the best results desired, it by no means proves that Christian Science of itself is not scientific or philosophical, but rather that its student must gain still higher understanding. To refuse to do even the little one knows because the ultimate has not been attained, would not only be unscientific and contrary to the law of progression, but would be absolute disobedience to the commands of Jesus, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel," "Heal the sick."

In nothing Dr. Dempster's remarks concerning Christian Science, I wish to take up the strictures which he places upon it. If Christian Science is a discovery of spiritual law, and if it is carrying out the works of the Master in so far as it is possible in this hour of spiritual development,—and this is the claim made for it,—it is well to note particularly the exemptions, if any, that Jesus made to healing any type of disease. History does not record that he made any distinction between the paralytic and the leper, between the impotent and the blind man, between the woman bowed with rheumatism and the nobleman's son healed of fever by absent treatment. To him the abnormal conditions were all destroyed by the power of God.

That every known ailment to which mortals are subjects has been healed at one time or another by Christian Science, cannot be successfully gainsaid; that all persons are not so healed is no fault of the system, but has to do with the receptivity of the patient, the fear to be overcome, and the understanding of the practitioner. If the argument is advanced that none but those who are perfect should attempt the healing work of Christian Science, the same rule applies to those of the "regulars" to whom our friend belongs. Christian Scientists are willing to compare case by case with their medical brethren as to results obtained. They have nothing but the most kindly feeling for the honest physician of whatever school, for they know from experience of the unselfish lives of many of these men and women, who sacrifice personal comfort for the sake of humanity; and they do not force their teaching or services upon any person, for they fully understand the uselessness of offering their treatment to those whose faith is in material means, and they respect their convictions.

The contention of this critic that the citizens of the state tax themselves to support medical schools, and that therefore Christian Scientists and others who do not rely on poisonous drugs or the reckless use of the knife, should be compelled to become familiar with these methods, is not well taken. Christian Scientists are not practising medicine, and such compulsion could not be enforced from its very unconstitutionality. Eminent physicians of both the regular and other schools have made the statement repeatedly, that the teaching of physiology and anatomy in our public schools is a strong promoter of disease, by keeping the thought of the impressionable child upon certain parts of the body. A well-known "regular" physician of this city said in his protest, "I know, and every doctor knows, that keeping the thought upon any particular part of the body is bound to create disease there."

Christian Science prevents disease; it also stands for purity of thought, speech, life, air, food, and water, and bids us live in peace with all men, barring out every thought of hate, malice, envy, jealousy, deceit, and dishonesty.