The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-09

phenomena of nature is very apt to CORE
late his facts and PROFOUND an hypothesis
what Mrs. Eddy. the originator of what is
known as Christian science, has done.
i but hi. fao %an and may wrong % in ff lis
hypothesis, so may woman. Messmerism,
%h ghs' asoTedsed Eason
three thousand hypothesis for the electric
light, but in only two instances did his ny
pothesis stand the claim of actual expert
ment. It is possible that Christian Scien-
lists may show some facts which are lncon-
but that the hypothesis or phyl-
osophy by which they explain those facts
Wilt fall Tar short of the truth. They claim
to have wrought great number of cures,
but some who protested themselves cured
have discovered their mistake. It has long
been known that the mind has great lntiu-
ence over the body. Some ailments are only
imaginary, and it is only necessary to re-
verse the current of the mind to accomplish |
cures, But, making allowance for cures of |
these kinds by Christian Science, there are
others which we cannot explain nor wholly |
tian? Is it scientific? Her doctrine is a
challenge to all Christians. The word SCI
enoe has a definite meaning at the present
time, It is ascertained and classified knowl-
edge. ,
truths which transcend proof. The Chris
tian believer in every age has prepared
the system of truth to which he has COM
mitted his life with an unassumlnG credo.
But now comes system OF philosophy
which proposes to go beyond Christ in ex-
plainino his own doctrine. If we believe
ita advocates the era of Christian faith has
passed and We have entered upon the ora of
Christian science.
Some of 1t I cannot understand. That
-, -. sp ,SSn nk1 INC
This is Mrs. Eddy's version Of the Lords
PRAYER, principle, eternal and harmonious,
nameless and adorable intelligence, thou
art ever present and supreme, and when
this supremacy of spirit shall appear the
dream of matter will disappear. Give us
the understanding of truth and love, and,
loving, we shall learn God, and truth will
destroy all error, and lead us into the life
that is soul and deliver US from the errors
of sense, sin, sickness and death, for God
is life, truth and love forever.
The works of Mrs. Eddy are the only
authority upon Christian Science. She
says spirit is the only substance, there is
neither personal diety, personal devil
nor personal man. In her teachings spirit
is tho great and only reality. God is spirit
spirit, because there can be but one infinite,
and there is but one God. She makes the
shortest work of theism.
When Christ spoke of God he called him
Heavenly Father. When Mrs. Eddy de-
fines God she speaks of him in abstract
words.
She denies the personality of God and
Christ and of man. These are large sub
iects of thought-God, Christ and man. To
sum up. all that exists is spirit. Spirit ia
infinite and is God: Man is manifesto
ton, phase of spirit and is part of God.
Christ was the most spiritual man. The
spiritual image and likeness of Cod Al
spirit is the only subtance SO matter is I'M
substantial, unreal. Mrs. Eddy says: God
spirit, never created matter, for there ii
ter; but God made all that was made, hence
matter was never made, and is chimert
belief, an error This sylogism is in proper
form and its accuracy depends upon 1T
premises, whether there is anything
in spirit out Of which to make matter
spirit, can create matter. She assumes h
cannot, but this is pure ASSUMPTION. Accord
ing to her nothing has any existence out
side of the mind which thinks it.
If the sensible would without is unrea
and is only an error Of the mind we hav
been grossly deceived and God is RESPONSE
BILE for the deception. To the scientists
sickness is a dream, but in case of broker
bones they think it better to leave the ad
justment to a surgeon. Goodness IS real
evil is unreal, an error OF the mind: say
she, The presence of sin the world is
FASS~SA>~ 80 S>~s
denying its reality.
II a child falls and bumps its head we car
hardly convince it that the pain is result
of an error of the mind. But when he II
frightened that is an error of the mind Of
which he can be convinced. Hitherto meI
have considered sin and sickness as evils
necessarily incident to the earthly state
something that God could not wholly
shield us from and teach us to grow strong
in character. But now comes Mrs. Eddy
and says that evil and God cannot boil
exist.
The criticism has been made that Christ
ian science is neither Christian nor scien
tito and the criticism appears just.
She has rejected the teachings of Chris
and the philosophy and learning OF tn
tiquated-belief but not understanding
Her system is unscientiic and untrust
worthy. The philosopher and teacher !
these days must base his teachings on OF
served facts. The one who evolves hi
system from his innermost consciousness
very apt to be crank. 1t is not Christia
truth. 1t is not even allied to it. As
philosophical system it is tissue of at
surdities: and yet Mrs. Eddy has thousand
of followers, even in the Christian churcl
Mrs. Eddy has effected some remarkably
cures. But sht may effect cures which he
philosopy is totally inadequate to explain
believe We have hardly begun to under
STAND the spiritual power OF the good, TIL
man. Many believe the ministry whit
Christ committed to his disciples continu
to the present day, and that the prayer
faith will now laise the sick. If it Is Il,
it is glorious truth. He who denies Il
reality of all Christian science cures W
never be able to wholly refute the
claims. Christian Science enjoins purity
life. Christ sand, according to your fai
be it unto you, not according to your phi
osophy. The philosophy of Christi
Science is absurd, their life and practice
admirable. but it is essentially the life a
practice which Christ enioined.
In this day when there is one school
cranks who assert that all is matter, p
haps il is well that we have another schs
of cranks who assert that all is mini.
The old faith is still the best one. VIII
We cannot yet quite claim that it is scien
for We know only in fact, yet the Spirit
God j. leading % into the truth and is