The Washington times., 1915-04-26

/
~ las scarlet, they shall
&# be as white as
snow" Usaiah 1:1s)
He said in part:
kMN(9R' QIISSEIOl What a man be-
@lieves or disbelieves
Is his own business and not subject to
pubic criticism. But when a number Of
people associate themselves, publish
their doctrines to the world and invite
members, their doctrines are properly
subject to public criticism. These shsuld
be honestly treated, however, not mis-
represented; and all honest people
should welcome such truthful criticism.
We assume that Christian Scientists.
therefore. VIII fully appreciat what we
ways have this attitude toward criticism
of our public teachings.
The growth of Christian Science has
astonished the world. Its teachings ap-
peal to very intelligent, well-to-do
class of people. of considerable mental
independence. The physical healing
of either themselves or their friends
seems to have been more or less asso-
ciated with their conversion. to their
cult. Their realization of the cure
brought them the conviction that there
is a supernatural power outside of man,
and aroused religious sentiment such
as they had never known before. 1t
seems to them that they have started a
new life.
IL ne reason Tor tnlS Is tnat nominal
Christianity is merel a form of godii-
ness. without power or conviction. This
form of godlineSs has spread until the
whole is styled Christendom-christ
Kingdom. In countries like Great Brit
ain. Germany, Russia, and Scandinavia,
| approximately ninety-fIve per cent. of
the population are rated as Christians
cven though some of these are III prison,
some In insane asylums, and some too
young to think. In Italy. everybody is
amongst
some of the Italians who come to our
shores flourish works Of the Devil, such
as the Black Hand, the Maffia, etc.
Bewildered Christendom.
Additionally, some sincere Christian
people have. during the last fifty years,
! been in great perplexity because df the
| stupendeous nonsense intermingled with
Truth which was handed down from the
Dark Ages. Under the increasing light.
/ thinking people could not swallow some
| of the monstrous statements OF the
| Creeds as readily as did their fore
| fathers Gradually the great churches
which formerly prosecuted all others as
hcretiCs. forbiddng any to preach ex-
Cept by their ordinations, found them
| selves compelled to desist from making
! their tenets too prominent. Thus many
| people have concluded that the only
| difference between the various denomi-
nations is in Church forms, ceremonies
| ordinations. etc,
The doctrines that God had foreor-
dained 999 out of every loo to an eter-
| nifty of torture in fire was grddually
| looked at as too horrible to believe. The
| alternative doctrine. that GOD did not
| fOreordain the matter thus, but had not
the wisdom of power to avoid such a
catastrophe for His creatures was
equally repugnant consequently,
| prea chers began to tell that the destiny
of the world was nor literal fire. but
gnawing Of conscience, etc.-each manu-
featuring a Hell in accordance with his
own wisdom or ignorance and to suit
| his congregation.
Under such conditions Christian
| Science was born. and has grown to its
present proportions. Three things espe'
cially favored it: D its acceptance oi
the Bible; ~ its rejection of ererlast
ing torment. mental or physical; 49, its
teaching respecting Divine healing.
Mrs Eddy. the acknowledged head OF
| Christian Science, had a keen mind anc
considerable wisdom in its exercise
She would hold to the Bible even though
pervcrting It's teachings. She would no
make her teachings too antagonistic t'
other theories. She contented hersel
with vague. ambiguous statements re th'
future life. She laid principal stress OF
healing, and settled all doctrinal difi
Culties with the dictum that there is NJ
evil no sin, no death; that what have
been so-called are merely errors of th'
mind.
The very absurdity of these state
ments advertised them People said
What does it mean-There is no death
no sickness, no pain, no sorrow. no evi
of any kind? Absurd! Later, they said
We will see how Christian Scientists ex
plain death. sickness, pain, sin. Thu
labyrinth which Mrs. Eddy had skill
fully constructed. Having no intelligen
knowledge of the Bible they fell an cas-!
prey to Mother Eddys" errors. l
some of her definitions were fanciful
farfetched and unscriptural. they wer
no more so than the Illogical teaching
to which people had been accustomed
from childhood.
c. S. Readers and Practitioners.
Christian Scientists feel what Nigh
be termed. spiritual pride in connection
with their healing practises and witt
the public reading of the Scriptures an,
Mrs. Eddy's comments-aS much Spir
itual pride as Is sometimes felt in othe
churches by preachers, elders deacons
vestrymen. deaconesses. etc Once ele
waited to positions as readers. practition
ers or healing practitioners, 1t become
their duty Loyalty to support the syster
they represent And so, Just as earn
estly as with other sects, the establish
ment and defense of Christian Scienc
goes courageously onward
Still another class is interested-thos
| In control OF Christian Science ltera
ture. 1t sells at good stif prices; an
anybody questioning the merChandisin
of the truth Is given to understand tina
a he Is unappreciatiNe. and with the ma
jority the price regulates the value.
E Having we believe. fairly stated tn
facts and claims of Christian Scientists
we will now endeavor to show why W
? consider their teachings ilogica
Mother Eddy" striving after a truth
declared that there Is no pain. no sick
ness no sorrow, etc. The truth she wa
feeling after. but did not fully grasp,
that sin. sickness. sorrow, death. ar
abnormal conditions, resulting from tn
curse that came upon our race at tn
beginning, because of disloyalty to Goo
We agree with Mrs. Eddy to the eXter
of saying that these unsatisfactory cor
ditions are not designed by God to b
, everlas sting. He does not recognize thel
as proper for those in fellowship wit
D Him Jesus Himself tells us that the
obliteration will be the work of n
I Milennial Standardization 90:
2l:i; 22:3.
Is 1t wise to say in one breath ths
] these will pass away. and in the ne,
|