Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-07-19
"The Error of It."

We are il receipt Of the fo lowing
communication relative to our edi-
torial of the 9TH inst.. concerning
christian Science" Mr.. Ogden's
letter will be given consideration in
our Tuesdays issue:
EDITOR GAZETTE: AS one who has to
some extent tested the practical value of
Christian Science and has reason for
great gratitude because of the beneficial
results received, l desire to enter earnest
protest against the sweeping assertion of
your editorial of the 9TH inst, which
would brand Christian Science "the
most pernicious OF all known delusions."
| If healing the sufferer, comforting the
sorrowing, reforming the victim of pas
sion and vice, in short, the general bet
ternent of humanity physically, mental
| ly and morally is the result OF "delu-
sion," it would seem that the world has
crying need of more delusion and less
| fact.
That Christian Science accompllshes
the good works attributed to it may be
| readily attestsd in almost any commuu-
ity, in that there is scarcely city. village
or hamlet throughout the land but con-
tains happy recipients of its healing and
| saving power. Did Christian Science
lead to the Gloss of mans identity" the
editorial charge of ''simply pantheism
and practically pure atheism" might be
well taken, but nothing in its teachings,
understood, can lead to such conclusion.
Truly, the distinction is clearly made
between se1f-absorbod material con
seriousness and mans true nature or in-
dividuality, that which prompts his
every noble word or deed, but man ever
maintains his own identity and the
greater the knowledge of his true rela-
ton to his Creator, infinite divine mind,
the more enlarged his capacities and the
greater his capabilities.
The rule of Life in Christian Science
and the application thereof gives man
mastery over self-indulgence and makes
possible the approximation, through
daily deeds, the highest of ideals, "Be We
therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect Thus
man becomes Godlike, but is never God
nor absorbed by God.
/ As the editorial states, the believers in
Christian Science now nhmber approxi-
mately one million people and in ex-
PLANTATION of the expressed amazement
"that intelligent, rational men and
women embrace such Doctrines let me
say that probably seventy-five per cent.
of this number have found health
through the application of these doc
trines, in many instances after all ma
terial means had failed, and to all be-.
levers has it brought happier homes
purer lives and greater love to God and
man, hence, it is not alone because of its
logical precept, but Of its fruitful prac-
tice that men and women adher to
Christian Science. Most opposition to
this science, whether from pulpit, physi-
cian or press, usually finds its origin in
some mistaken report about it, or in the
action Of one who has embraced the
nams without the nature of its teaching,
whose conduct would receive hearty dis
approval from Christian Scientists them
selves.
| The early efforts of the Christian
church were opposed and its adherents
prosecuted, not for what was really be-
lieved and done by them, but for what
common report said about them. 1t was
proclaimed, "'These Christians would
like to burn our cities, aud are danger
to our community. They sacrifice their
children to propitiste their God, ETC.,
all of which, though generally believed
because of oft repetition, was the very
antipode of truth and was in due time
corrected through fair-minded iuvestiga-
ton of the lives Of these Christians.
Christian Science courts honest lnves-
J tigatien and willingly awaits the verdict
of public approval which lis practical
worth will in due time award it. Thank
ing you for your courtesy and space, I
am, Respectfully,
| DAVID B. OGDEN,
State CORRESPONDENT,