The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-13
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Mrs. Eddy's Teachings

To the Editor of The Age-Heralu.
 The clergyman prediction of "the end of Christian Science." as reported by one of your New York correspondents has no foundation in the actual outlook Of facts, and evidently originates in the clergymans misconceptions of Christian Science and probably his own desire. With your courteous permission, few facts are here presented with the reason- able deductions that result therefrom.
 Where the reverend gentleman obtained any basis for his statement that Mrs. Eddy placed herself in the same category for being entirely untrue the statement has no basis. It is regrettable that the gentleman has not better informed him. self. Many years ago in reply to a query sent her by a New York newspa- per asking if she were the second Christi she began her answer by saying. Even the question shocks me-" In the preface to her hook, "Science and Health" where she speaks of her first attempts Ito state the principle and practice of Christian healing,' she says of herself, To-day, though rejoicing in some prog ress, she still finds herself a willing dis ciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ" She constantly speaks of Jesus Christ as "the great Mas ter," and 1t was the pure and reverent attitude of her mind toward this Master Metaphysician that enabled her to discern the meaning of those wonderful teachings recorded in the gospels, that made her a disciple of truth in deed as well as in word, and so prepared her to rediscover the science of Christianity. Her own statements as well as the entire trend of her teachings effectually prove that she has never placed herself Fin the same category with Jesus the Christ. Those who have correct apprehension of Christian Science can see that this would be impossible.
 In her book. "Retrospection and Intro spection," Mrs. Eddy says in the chapter entitled '"rhe Great Discovery" where she describes her progress in appre- hending the things of the Spirit ''The miracles recorded in the Bible, which be- fore had seemed to me supernatural. grew divinely natural and apprehensible." Fur ther on she says, Jesus of Nazareth was a natural and divine Scientist. He was so before the material world saw him. He who antedated Abraham and gave the world new date in the Christian era, was a Christian Scientist who needed no discovery of the science of being in or der to rebuke the evidence. To one born of the fiesh.' however, divine science must be discovery. Woman must give 1t birth. It must be begotten of spirit uality, since none but the pure in heart can see God. the Principle of all things pure.'
 This statement proves her logical posi- tion: Namely, that of true follower or disciple of Jesus Christ, whose appre- hension of spiritual facts became such that she was enabled to discover Chris tian Science and establish 1t in human consciousness. She made no other claim than that of being in this age the dis coverer and founder of Christian Science, a claim fully verified by the history of the last 45 years.
 No crumbling the edifce built upon this sure foundation can occur, nor can ig- norance. envy and human will pull 1t down. Individual followers of Christian