Wilbur A. Barton, former Committee on Publication for Hawaii, Territory of Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Hilo

The comment on Christian Science by your contributor, under the caption "Chronicle of the Commonplace," warrants correction.

To allude to Christian Science as possibly being esoteric or occult would mean from the definition of these words that Christian Science was a secret religion dealing in hidden mysteries and appealing to a superstitious people. Such is not the case, and for the benefit of your readers who may be seeking protection from esoteric or occult beliefs, kindly allow me briefly to explain the Christian Science stand on these matters.

Christian Science begins with the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and Jesus' injunction, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." From such a fundamental basis all Christian religions spring.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, states in her textbook, "Science, and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 496), "You will also learn that in Science there is no transfer of evil suggestions from one mortal to another, for there is but one Mind, and this ever-present omnipotent Mind is reflected by man and governs the entire universe."

Christian Science is not "unfamiliar." The textbook may be found in every "average library." It stands today a guardian against unseen yet active and aggressive mental agencies which would lull the weary seeker after Truth into indolence. Christian Science is a proved religion.

Scott D. Sloan Committee on Publication for Rhode Island Sunday Journal, Providence

In a recent issue of the Providence Sunday Journal it was stated in the column "In Perspective" that Christian Science is the "product of a form of New England mysticism." I will appreciate space to correct this statement, because Christian Science came as a revelation and did not spring from mysticism. As the name "Christian Science" indicates, it is Christian knowledge, the word "science" coming from a Latin word meaning "to know."

Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writing of her discovery says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 110): "In following these leadings of scientific revelation, the Bible was my only textbook. The Scriptures were illumined; reason and revelation were reconciled, and afterwards the truth of Christian Science was demonstrated."

From childhood Mrs. Eddy read and loved the Bible and drew from it inspiration, comfort, and healing. Finally she received the divine revelation of the truth about God and His creation and set it forth in the above-mentioned textbook of Christian Science. Christian Science dispels mystery and explains logically and demonstrably every point it presents.

Sidney F. Rallings, Committee on Publication for Queensland, Australia Chronicle, Maryborough

A letter in a recent issue of the Chronicle makes reference to the Darwin theory of evolution, and also refers to remarks about a Christian Scientist's viewpoint. To correct any misconception regarding the teachings of Christian Science that may arise from the letter, would you please grant me a little space to quote briefly the Christian Science teaching regarding the evolution of man.

The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, states in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 172), "Theorizing about man's development from mushrooms to monkeys and from monkeys into men amounts to nothing in the right direction and very much in the wrong." In the first tenet of The Mother Church we learn that "as adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life" (ibid., p. 497).

Darwin's theory is not accepted by Christian Scientists because it is based purely on materialistic lines, whilst the teachings of Christian Science are based upon spiritual facts, inspired by Biblical records. Theorizing, as mentioned in a previous paragraph, leads us away from the true spiritual idea of things. In the first chapter of Genesis and the first five verses of the second we find the true record of creation, in which man is created in God's image and likeness. The whole atmosphere surrounding this record of creation is light (Gen. 1:3). The second record starts with a mist or clouded atmosphere (Gen. 2:6).

Christian Scientists accept the first as the true spiritual record, and all earnest students of Christian Science are striving daily to gain a greater understanding of God, whereby they may reflect or demonstrate the true image and likeness of God's creating. Since we express what is in our thought, delving into materialistic theories will never lead us into the spiritual apprehension of the true idea of man and of creation. Hence Christian Science teachings do not support the Darwin theory regarding the evolution of man.