The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-28
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE ATTACKED.

EtdSDHd Die one.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE ATTACKED.
The remarkable growth of the Chris
tian Science cult within the past few
years has brought the ministers of the
gospel to a realizing sense of the fact
that strong efforts must be made to coun-
teract IT; that Christian Science cannot
be poohpoohed and passed by as un-
worthy of notice. but must be met with
appeals to reason that will be conclu-
sive to the minds of investigators. When
Mrs. Eddy's book first appeared it at
tracted very little attention from the
ministers. They regarded it more as the
creation of a cracked brain than any
thing else. But within the thirty
years that 1t has been before the public
Mrs. Eddy has acquired following esti-
mated at approximately 100000 persons,
and the church" property valued at
upwards of $12,000,000. Evidently, there
fore, there is some sort of force in the
book that Mrs. Eddy has written and
the doctrine that she teaches.
Among those who have come forward
to show that Mrs. Eddy is a false pro-
phet, and that her teachings are unchris-
tian and dangerous in the highest degree,
is the Rev. William P. McCorkle. pastor
of the First Presbyterian Church, in this
city. Mr.. McCorkles book, under the
title of Christian Science: or the False
Christ of 1866" has been recently issued
by the Presbyterian Committee of Publi-
cation, and has therefore the seal Of APP
proval of the great denomination in
which he is a representative.
1t may be said that Mr.. McCorkle
worked practically in collaboration with
the Rev. DR.. Buckley, editor of the
Christian Advocate and a leader in the
Methodist Church, in the preparation of
his book, since he gives credit to Dr.
Buckley for much of the material used
in the discussion of the mental healing
features of the new gospel propounded by
Mrs. Eddy. But DIR. Buckley, in his
book, did not undertake to present a refu~
tation of the womans theological vaga-
rles, possibly at the time deeming the
task unnecessary. But time has shown
necessary. and 1t is to this feature that
Mr. McCorkle gives especial attention
He believes. and undertakes to show, that
Christian Science is an exhibition of anti
Christian spirit and unscriptural doc
trines; in which he succeeds very well.
Mr.. McCorkle makes frequent quota
lions from Mrs. Eddy's book. There have
hoe
tries to conhne himself to the latest ones,
because he finds at is one among the pc
culiarities of Mrs. Bddy's distinctively
feminine inspiration that it always leaves
her the womanly prerogative to change
her mind" Thus, in several of the edi-
lions there are changes as compared with
editions of earlier or later date. At the
very beginning the author makes it plain
that he considers Christian Science a
"pseudo-science and false Christianity"
If the matter were not altogether Sc
rfcus, some of the claims put forth by
the Christian Scientists would appear to
be positively ludicrous-funny-in the
light of the way in which they are ex-
planned or replied to. This applies espe-
cially to the healing" claimed to be per-
formed by the Scientists. That God is
all, and bumps are nothing is one of
the tenets of the new faith But bumps
and boils refuse to be explained away.
IF the science Of life were understood"
argues Mrs Eddy, ut would be found
that the senses of Mind are never lost,
and that matter has no sensation. Then
the human limb would be replaced as
readily as the lobster's claw-not with an
artificial limb, but with the genuine
one" Nevertheless the Scientists have
never been able to grow new arm, like
the unthinking lobster.
The spiritual and religious side of the
matter is treated exhaustively by Mr.
McCorkle, who concludes that Christian
Science Originated in conscious charla-
tanism ana :allacious. reasoning. IL the
testimony of its founder is TO be be-
lieved. Christian Science is both a
foul imposture and a heresy ominous of
danger to the church of Christ. and a
peril to immortal souls. 1t is so-called
science which ignores God-given facts; a
religion which thrusts aside a God-given
revelation; theology which aboiishes
God while pretending to defy mortal
man; Christianity which. after dishon-
oring Christ by every possible denial of
his word. presents him to us as a phan-
tom Saviour-a Saviour who never did
ana never can save a soul in a
word. it ii. a philosophy without wisdom,
a science without facts, a theology with
out God, and Christianity without
Christ"