Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-01-18
AUGUSTA LOCALS.
ON CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
Lecture on This Subject Given by Rev. Mr.
Williamson.

There was a large and deeply inter-
.ested audience in the Congregational
chapel, Sunday evening, to listen to the
lecture which was given by the pastor
of the church, Rev. ]. S. Williamson
on the subject Christian Science"
Every available space was occupied,
the audience crowding into the rooms
adjoining the hall. Included We're a
number Of physicians, lawyers, and in
structors of our schools. There was
also a large attendance of business
men, and ladies. Augusta was well
represented.
follows:
The Christian grace of tolerance is
one it is hard to exercise at all times.
Especially is this true when we are
brought into contact with a people or
a philosophy of life which tends to re-
tard rather then advance the best well
being of society.
We may cheerfully recognize the
morality and honest intentions of a
people while we have only contempt
for their wisdom. The mass OF
the devotees Of Christian Science So
called, no doubt are trying to be moral
and may be honest in their convictions.
but to my mind the philosophy which
underlies the movement as exhibited
in Mrs Eddy's book Science and
Health" is a tissue of self-contradic-
tions and erroneous assumptions, un-
warranted by even limited exercise
of reason, and contrary to all human
observation ard experience, showing
no knowledge Cf- modern science, no
rational study CT the philosophy or MS
tory and an ignorance of Scripture ap-
palling if not criminal in those VINO pro-
fess to be it's friends and pose as It's
only true interpreters.
This language seems severe. unklnd
and perhaps to some unchristian, but 10
my mind it simply fits the facts. 10
completely demonstrate their truth,
pamphlet of about 200 pages would be
essential instead OF a brief talk OF ZO
minutes.
1. This so-called science has for Its
corner stone the denial of the exist
ence cf matter. Mrs. Eddy says III
Science ana Health" page 49, Moth
ing we can say or believe regarding
matter is true, except that matter Is
unreal" Science and Health, page T.
The great verities Cf spirit, omnlp-
otence, omnipresence, Cmnlsclehce'
these verities contradict forever
the belief that matter can be actual
This denial of matter of course denies
the possibility of sickness pain anu
death Matter has no existence anu
therefore these are only Illusions oi
mortal mind. This is the reason OF the
so-called Christian Scientist TO ratloldi
medical science, because it processes
a cure through the application Oh
chemicals (Which do not EXIST 10
material organization (Which man ooes
not have) a belief in which is the source
of the disease which medical science
tries to remove Now, it is not essen
tal for plain, practical people 10 CIV
a philosophical defence OF peilel III
the existence of matter-that LOT 'iie
average healthy mind is not necessa,s'
To be consistent, the so-caileo Shi
tan Scientist must not only oppose 'iie
educated physician but also the eroesi
the draper, the tailor. the milllner' tne
farmer and the house builder. II ma.
ter does not exist, what a nypocli'e
the Christian Scientist is TO nave
house. eat food, buy clothes or coai lol
the care of body that does not eAis.
or be anxious about retaining sheiter
which it does not need, or WORK WI