May I trespass on your space to reply to the article...

H. Ernest Vincent, Committee on Publication for Natal, South Africa,—Durban

Churchman

May I trespass on your space to reply to the article entitled, "Why the Churches are Neglected," which appears in the October issue of the Churchman.

Christian Science recognizes the fundamental right of every individual to choose his own religion and to employ whatever means of healing he may prefer. It is to be regretted, then, that your contributor should go out of his way to attack another body of Christians.

Christian Science is the Christian religion, and it is founded fairly and squarely on the Bible. It is Christian because it conforms to the words and works of Christ Jesus; it emphasizes the necessity of obeying his commands and emulating his example in all things. It is Science because it is the exact knowledge of spiritual Truth.

Christian Science has Scriptural authority for denying the reality of sin and sickness—evil of every kind. In the first chapter of Genesis we read, "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." Therefore, sin, sickness, and evil, not being good, are no part of God's divine creation; they have no law of God to support them, and must be classed as unreal.

But in denying the reality of sin, sickness, and evil Christian Science does not ignore the fact that these errors appear to be manifested in our human experience. They are, however, the result of humanity's ignorance of God and man's relation to Him. Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 390), "It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony." Jesus came to show mortals the way out, and he defined eternal life as follows: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Christian Scientist accept Christ Jesus as the Messiah or Way-shower, and constantly strive to follow his example.

It should be remembered that in his healing ministry Jesus never used drugs; neither did he recommend their use. He healed both sin and sickness by his spiritual knowledge of God. He said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Christian Scientists realize that only in proportion as they gain the Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," can they overcome sin, sickness, and evil, and thus prove their unreality.

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