The Florence daily tribune., 1902-08-27
Communicated.

The report of the serm uns of the
Rev. r. H. HonseInan on Christian
Science at the Presbyterian chHIch al
recently published in the Citizen
shows a spirit Of christian fsllowshiI
and fairness that is indeed gratifying.
But the reverend gentleman has a
wrong conception of some of the es-
sentials of his subject and to briefly
correct a few Of these is the purpose
Of this communication.
Mr.. Houseman makes a mistake
common to many we'll meaning people
who have but a superficial knowledge
of Christian Science, when he con-
POUNDS it with faith cure. The two
are widely dissimilar. Healing in
Christian Science, which brings free
dom from sickness and sin, is founded
not upon faith alone, but upon an
exact knowledge of God. We are set
free, Jesus tells us, by knowing the
Truth, not merely by having faith in
it. In this respect all branches OF
Science are alike We may have nn-
bounded faith in the science Of
Mathematics, but until we have q
working knowledge of it, we cannot
solve our problems. The ranks of
Christian Science contain thousands of
christian people whose stanch faith in
God has never wavered since it WAS
implanted in their hearts at their
mothers knees, yet until that faith
was supplemented by the understand
ing of God which they gained through
Christian Science they never were
cured.
Mr. Houseman would do away with
| the text book Science and Health
with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary
Baker G. Eddy, because he does not
regard it az correct Interpretation
of the Scriptures. The text book of
any science is necessarily the exponent
of its principles, the arbiter of its
ethics. In Science and Health
Christian Scientists find lucid ex-
positio of their religion, guide to
it's employment, and much needed
Key to the Scriptures. Why then
should they be dispossessed of it?
They do not upduly urge its accept
ance npon anyone and they do not
proselyte.
The price of the book to which our
critic also objects Ia not based on the
cost of the paper and ink that enters
into it's construction. What it stands
for and what it brings to all who will
receive what it offers is fairer critic
rion of its worth. The people who
most use HI article are the best judges
Of its value. Hence Christian Scien-
fists are best qualified to pass upon
the worth of Science and Health. :"
The writer in his nine years anGuaint-
ance with Christian Scientists from
all parts Of the United States has
never met, or even heard OF true
follower of its teachings who thought
the book was not fully worth its cost
and more, much more.
The contention that Christian
Science practitioners should not be
paid because Gods gifts Of healing
are free is hardly consistent with
our censor's position as salaried
clergyman. 1t may be as truly said
that Gods spiritual gifts are also
free. yet ministers of the gospel are
paid-and rightfully so. The Chris
tian Science practitioner, like the
minister of the gospel, II paid for his
time and endeavor to bring God
free gifts to where suffering and sin
ming mankind may avail themselves
of them. Both are paid for their
labor, and surely our friend will not
dispute Jesus declaration that "the
| laborer is worthy of his hire. -
| The objection to "the introduction
of Mother God" is one which every
christian, regardless Of creed, should
support with heart and soul. But
Christian Science does not Introduce
IA Mother God" 1t does not proclaim
more than one God. As it's tenets de
clare I'VE acknowledge and adore
one Supreme Infinite God. We &C
knowledge one Christ, namely tht
Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; ant
the son Christ Jesus man in the di
vine image and likeness. I" (Scienc'
and Health, page 497
1t does however. recognize tn,
Motherhood as wsll as the Fatherhoot
of God, Infinite Loye.
| Ii needs but q few words froW th'
Christian Science text book to shoy
that our reverend critic misapprehend
its teachings as to the 'existence o
sin, etc. +" II he will turn to pag
447 he will read "a sinner is not re
formed merely by assuring bin tina
he cannot be sinner because there i
no sin ITO assume there are u,
claims of evil, and yet to indulge
them, is moral offence. And oil
page 81 docs not Science show tina