The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1909-04-09
ABOUT CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
A Reply to Some of the Statements
Made by Rev. r. M. Houghton.

Editor of Reformer:
l have just been reading the kindly ref
erences to Christian Science by Rev. r.
M. Houghton which have appeared in two
the gentleman will not object to brief
answer to some of the questions which he
has raised Especially would I consider
the query as to why Christian Scientists
have left the church for spiritual ex-
ercse" since ct was the same Bible that
the church had placed in their hand and
which the church has preserved through
the ages" 1t is said: ''The church has
always stood for devotion and spiritual
communion and yet they did not engage
themselves earnestly in these spiritual ex-
ercises until they left the church
May | answer this question by briefly
relating my own experience. | was
brought up in the orthodox church and in
my youth became member of an ortho-
dox denomination. ] drifted along care
lessly for a few years and with little in
terest in the Bible and in the Christian
religion beyond an earnest desire to do
right and to comply with the demands of
Christianity. | found very little comfort
in my religious experience. | read my
Bible, attended the Sunday school from
sense of duty but found very little en-
joyment in the experience. On a Sunday
morning copy of Science and Health, the
Christian Science text book by Mrs. Eddy,
l.
pages and while / did not seem to gain a
satisfactory understanding of what ! read
/ obtained an insight into the spiritual
significance of the scriptures, glimpse of
the Science of Christianity and this ct
once kindled deep interest in Gods
word. Through a continued study OF
Christian Science, the scriptures became
more practical to me and | discovered |
therein what / had never before seen. | |
think my experience is in keeping with |
that of most Christian Scientists. !
Christian Science throws new light |
upon the scriptures and it has made it to
me the most interesting book IN the
world In the past / would hurry
through a few chapters in order to be
through with the task and ready to take
up the study of something that was more
interesting. Now / find pleasure in, the
study of the scriptures. Bible students
will find the study of Science and Health,
in conjunction with the Bible, very
When Mrs. Eddy first began to teach
, bristian Science it was her hope and
expectation that the churches would re-
cefve it with open arms, but when after
telling a considerable length of time alone
and receiving no response whatever from
the orthodox church she was eventually
obliged to establish a church of her own
in order to propagate her ideas; IL
Mr.. Houghton speaks OF the true
in Christian Science which has done
good" MAY we call attention to the fact
that whatever else may be said about
Christian Science, ii Is consistent and he
who has found even one point IN ITS :
teaching that he considers true" and !
good" NAV rest assured that as he con
times to study the Christian Science text I
hook he will discover more and more that 5
i strue" and good" and eventually 1t | y
viii be unfolded to him that there Is moth,
mo IN tbs book that j. not true and good {
and that every statement contained {
fnerein Is entirely consistent with every
,tber statement contained in the book
Such is the conclusion which ! have
reached after many years Of careful study. S
A consistent Christian Scientist has no a
iesire to eliminate the whole medical !
,roiesSion.'' He recognizes that there are a