Had our clerical critic attended any of the recent lectures...

Ezra W. Palmer

Littleton (Col.) Independent

Had our clerical critic attended any of the recent lectures on Christian Science he would doubtless have been impressed by one significant fact, that no other church, denomination, or sect received a word of criticism or abuse throughout these lectures; the charity that "suffereth long, and is kind," and that "envieth not," prevailed.

The teachings of Christian Science unfold the beauty and power of the word of God, and its adherents have found that this word of God is sufficient of itself to heal the ills of men. Criticism of other religious bodies is therefore out of place in the activities of the Christian Science church and of its adherents. No fact of history is more patent than that religious recriminations and controversies have not advanced men one iota in the understanding of God, but rather have darkened their thoughts and filled their minds with bitterness and hate instead of the love of God, which alone can heal and save them. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, . . . and thy neighbor as thyself," was the inspired command of the Founder of Christianity, and this command Christian Scientists are faithfully endeavoring to follow.

This clergyman is also reported to have stated that another reason which induced him to attack Christian Science was, that Christian Scientists "proselyted." If by this term the critic means to imply that Christian Scientists urge their religious convictions upon others for the purpose of gaining adherents to Christian Science, he has a distorted view of the subject. Christian Scientists have a scrupulous respect for the religious convictions of others, and believe thoroughly that the golden rule should govern the relations of churches as well as of individuals. Christ Jesus, however, commanded his followers, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." This command Christian Scientists obey the same as they obey other commands to heal the sick and free the sinner. The preaching of the gospel is a legitimate function of the Christian church and of the Christian, and it is far removed from the offensive partizanship implied in the remarks of this brother.

The burden of the discussion of this critic was the attempt to discredit the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy, and to belittle the benefits which have accrued to mankind from her consecrated labors. The life of Mrs. Eddy is known to the world. Clear and unbiased judges proclaim her one of the world's greatest women. Measured by the achievements she has accomplished for humanity, she deserves the world's praise, because she unlocked the treasures of the Bible which were hidden under the accumulated rubbish of ages of dogma and creed, and made available its healing and saving power. Today there is hardly a village or hamlet in the civilized world where a witness to the regenerative power of Christian Science cannot be found. To assume, as this critic is reported to have done, that Christian Science does not genuinely heal the sick by prayer, is to repudiate unimpeachable testimony from countless thousands of witnesses in every walk of life.

What a great deal of time and ease that man gains who lets his neighbor's words, thoughts, and behavior alone, confines his inspections to himself, and takes care that his own actions are honest and righteous.—Marcus Aurelius.

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