It is a pity that any representative of orthodox creeds,...

Arthur E. F. Court, Committee on Publication for the North Island of New Zealand,—Masterton

Wairarapa Age

It is a pity that any representative of orthodox creeds, in order to protect his coreligionists from being "converted" from the "foundations of sound teaching," to which they are accustomed, to such a religion as he pictures Christian Science to be, should deem it necessary, under the shelter of a nom de plume, to employ personal insinuations and flagrant misquotations. It would take up too much of your space to deal with all the misrepresentations in the letter signed "Student" in your issue of January 18, but I crave permission to correct a few of them.

In his second sentence "Student" says, "The modern visiting interpreters of 'Eddyism' have swung from the words of Mrs. Eddy back to the Bible," while a few lines farther on he flatly contradicts himself, as follows: "She [Mrs. Eddy] forbids all preaching or publication which in any way departs from that which she has declared," and comments that this edict ties her movement down. As these statements are distinct contradictions, they cannot both be true. As a matter of fact, one of the Tenets, or articles of faith, found on page 497 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, runs, "As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." Science and Health is regarded as a "key" to the Bible.

His remark that "Eddyism" traffics in the physical side, and omits all the realm of spiritual revelation, reveals an absolute ignorance of his subject which can only excite our pity. The whole theme of Christian Science is the giving up of the material or physical concept of man and the universe, and the gaining of the true idea of spiritual man and of the spiritual universe, made in the image and likeness of God. As Jesus himself said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing."

Christian Science does admit that Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Again, Christian Science does impute the supreme glory to God; it honors Him, Mrs. Eddy says, "as no other theory honors Him, and it does this in the way of His appointing, by doing many wonderful works through the divine name and nature" (Science and Health, p. 483).

If your correspondent will really study the Christian Science textbook, instead of relying upon the writings of those who, from interested motives, are trying to decry and misrepresent it, he will, if he is honest, admit that he has been badly misled. Christian Scientists have no quarrel with any other religion or its exponents, and ask only to be judged in the manner indicated by our Lord, when he said, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

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