The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-06
MRS. EDDY's FOLLOWERS.
What One of Them Has to Say in
Defence of Her Doctrine.

Defence of Her Doctrine.
Editor Morning News: Your long ed
itoriaI on Christian Science in Sundays
issue, made up largely of criticisms from
DR.. Buckley's and DR.. McCorkIe's books,
came to me Tuesday. / scarcely had fin-
ished the first hasty reading before anoth-
err clipping taken from the New York
Journal, of even date of your editorial,
came, containing the following from the
Rev. De Witt Van Doren, in defense of
Christian Science. i'm which he warns
critics against their PharisaicaI tenden-
cies:
THE only class of people for whom
Christ had words of biting sarcasm and
censure were the Pharisees, who could
not see any good in anything outside Oh
Judaism. Are we not in danger of falling
into the spirit of Phariseeism and of the
Pharisee when we grow intolerant of
methods and beliefs of those who con-
scientiously differ from us and who still
are putting forth nobest efforts for the
physical and moral salvation of human
typ
II have not the pleasure of Mrs Eddy's
acquaintance, but from all the evidence
at hand l am obliged TO think OF her as
woman of remarkable ability and spotless
character. l am not in sympathy with
HCA NlCWS VI NhilSlldu NOT Win
her dictatorial attitude toward the Chris
tian Science Church; but. as a minister
Of Christ, and a Christian, / am bound to
concede and respect her virtues of char
acter her intellectual ability, her right
to worship God according to the dictates
Of her conscience, and to build up a great
church, If she can, and evidently she can.
II have met and known personally quite
number of Mrs. Eddy's followers, and
in every way they compared favora bly,
with the highest type of Christians found
in my own churches. How shall we Judge
the merits of a church IL not by the type
of Christian it turns out3 l conclude that
that is the best church which makes the
best men and women regardless Of name
or doctrinal tenets. by their fruits We
shall know them The victory of Chris
tianity is to be found in the holiness OF
its professors. When IL is understood by
the whole people that abe objective point
OF the churches Is character rather than
numbers. worth rather than wealth.
harsh criticism viii cease. confidence will
be restored and the problem how to reach
the better class will be solved. for the
world is not slow 10 distinguish between
an Orthodox Christian and an othodox
Pharisee While II loves and honors the
one, it has only adherence and detesta-
ton for the other"
Here is competent witness, a man VINO
Is broad enough 10 admit that while he
is not a believer IN all it's doctrines, ac-
knowIedges that its fruits are good
Mr. McCorkie says, christian Science
is an exhibition OF anti-Christian spirit"
Jesus said. '"rhey that be not for us are
against us" They that believe shall lay
hands on the sick and they shall recover"
II Is no longer doubted or questioned that
Christian Science does the healing. Chris
tIan Scientists do accept Jesus as che
Way Shower. they do try TO live lives Of
purity honesty and suprightness, so much
so that the enemies of Christian Science
are willing TO admit that the lives OF Sell
entists are models of Christian virtue. II
thew do live Christian lives? II they do
pray for the sick with faith and under
standing. and the sick are healed and re-
formed. the question that confronts the
world is:
Shall all test Christian Science in a
practical way Tor themselves or Will they
listen 10 those who are biased by their
religious education. or VIII they TRY the
spirits whether they be OF Cod or
"urhether they be OF the devil?''
Another question: Is not that sect Of
Christians whose preaching heals as Il
teaches and teaches In its healing. worthy
a place n the hearts and consciences OF
men. along with those sects which preach
an aftor-desth salvation and consider life