It has been brought to my notice that in your issue of...

B. Howard Grigsby, former Committee on Publication for Ceylon,

Times of Ceylon

It has been brought to my notice that in your issue of June 11, under the caption "Pacifism Condemned," a bishop is reported to have said that pacifism is "anti-Christian and as blasphemous as Christian Science."

It is hardly likely, in these days of enlightenment on the subject, when Christian Science is becoming better known to an increasing number of people all over the world—not only for its spiritual teachings but for the wonderful healings of "all manner of sickness and all manner of disease" brought about by its agency—that the bishop's remarks will be taken at all seriously.

The writer, referring to the "pacifist creed," says that it is as blasphemous as Christian Science, which prays for bodily health without having recourse to the means "God has given us for the cure of the body." And yet Christ Jesus never used material means in performing his wonderful healings. Is it blasphemous to endeavor to follow his example?

That these astounding views are not shared by the great majority of the clergy is shown by the following extracts taken from reports of Christian Science Committees on Publication in various parts of England:

1. "The attitude of the church generally may be gauged by a statement made by the Bishop of Liverpool, in which he referred to divine healing as the 'church's most powerful weapon.' "

2. "The Bishop of London is reported to have said: 'If the kingdom of heaven has arrived on earth, we may expect miracles. They will not be against law, but will be worked by a higher law than we know now.' "

3. "A reported address of the Bishop of Winchester contained the statement, 'We no longer hold that sickness comes from God.' "

4. The Bishop of Chichester, as reported in the Western Morning News of January 23, 1935, said, referring to the 'ministry of spiritual healing,' that 'it is a ministry which ought to be exercised with the full life of Christ behind it.' "

5. "Dr. E. S. Waterhouse, of London, a prominent Methodist, at a Stamford Methodist circuit rally, was widely reported as having said, 'Unfortunately, the church had never systematically used prayer as a means of help in sickness, and it was left to the Christian Scientists to preach a doctrine which was true."

There is another point in the bishop's article which requires correction. He accuses Christian Scientists of being pacifists. Every right-minded person is a pacifist, as far as possible, but Christian Scientists do not in any way shirk their responsibilities, nor are they willing to allow others to fight their battles for them.

It may not be generally known that a whole volume has been written on "Christian Science Activities" during the World War. An immense amount of good was done by Christian Science practitioners, and many healings of sickness and of wounds received in action are recorded regarding Christian Scientists and others. These Christian Science practitioners were accorded official recognition during the later stages of the campaign and wore regulation uniforms. Surely this is not pacifism as suggested by the writer.

Other remarks of the bishop show ignorance of the spiritual interpretation of the Bible and of the nature of Christian Science. Those wishing a true statement of this religion I would refer to the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.

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