Exposure

John B. Willis

In looking over a western newspaper recently, a Christian Scientist came upon the heading "Christian Science Exposed," and instead of being disturbed thereby his discovery had a distinctly exhilarating effect. "Splendid," he thought; "just what is needed—nothing could render the world so great a service—let the good work go on until the truth is fully known!"

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul calls attention to the incongruous fact that while the many who were disseminating the gospel were impelled by good will, some were preaching Christ "even of envy and strife," and he adds, "What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." Christian Scientists have frequent occasions for this kind of joy and rejoicing, since even would-be destructive attacks upon the teaching they honor are constantly bringing forth good. They do not enjoy, much less do they rejoice in, the aspersions of antagonism, but they do court that exposure which effects the disclosure of the content of their faith; and the size of the contribution to their propaganda efforts which is unwittingly made by those who are laboring under the mistaken conviction that they are opposed to this movement, would confound them if they but had eyes to see.

The famous career of Don Quixote well illustrates the nature and outcome of the tilt which self-satisfied religious prejudice is wont to have with wind-mills of its own erection, and the result would assume the dimensions of little more than a joke, were it not for the fact that nothing is more unfortunate in its reactions upon the individual than the heroic espousal of an unwarranted undertaking. When endeavor has no better basis and impulsion than some blind sense of determination or some bias of religious education, the result is sure to be inglorious and likely to be disastrous to one's spiritual life. Let him, therefore, who essays to write upon this subject, make sure, first of all, that it is actually Christian Science which he is exposing and not his grotesque misapprehension of it.

It is apparent that Mrs. Eddy's undisturbed calm in the presence of criticism of Christian Science resulted from the fact that she knew it would help rather than hinder the truth's advance. Speaking of the matter, she says on page 110 of Science and Health, "This book may bedistorted by shallow criticism or by careless or malicious students, and its ideas may be temporarily abused and misrepresented; but the Science and truth therein will forever remain to be discerned and demonstrated."

From its beginning, the Christian Science movement has been very earnestly and intelligently devoted to the enterprise so lightly set for himself by the writer of the article referred to. Furthermore, all its worthy representatives are humbly trying to "expose" Christian Science in the best possible way,—namely, by their daily doings, their walk and conversation before men,—and the sooner all who call themselves Christian Scientists become altogether awake to this fact, and the more quickly its teaching and spirit are thus revealed to all men, the sooner will the world be Christianized and God's kingdom come. The declaration and exhibition of the healing and uplifting power of divine Truth, which is effected by every true working Scientist, is the thing that contributes positively to the radiation of this redemptive Christ-ideal, and at the same time it serves to reverse the statements of that inept criticism which brings about the fulfilment of the saying that even the wrath of men shall be made to render a service to good.

John B. Willis.

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