Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-04-15

April 9. 1918

Editor,
Alma, Mich. April 9, 1915
Dear Sir
Report OF some very unkind criti-
cisms against Christian Science by an
evangelist recently holding services
in your city has Just come TO my at
tention and in Justice TO those citi-
liens of Alma who may be interested
in knowing the true import OF this
religion | would like to ask little
space in your paper for correction.
BY what perversion of the words OF
the Master Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as myself" a professed fol-
lower OF the Christ could find an eX-
cuse for such an example of religious
intolerance and wilful misrepresenta-
ton as has been INDUCED in by this
critic | would not attempt a conjec-
ture.
Christian Science is based exclus-
lively on the Bible and the followers
of this religion are undoubtedly as
close Bible students as ii would be
possible to find among the followers
OF any religion Christian Science
is n strict accord with the spiritual
import Of the Scriptures. at every
point and through its benetcent
teachings vast multitudcs have come
to owe the Bible as one of their dear
est friends. Just why a minister Of
the gospel would deem it , 4uoy 10
attack a religion which has saved so
many people from the bonds oil sim
and sickness it is difficult 60 undes-
stand
Christina s>ce has eacrcled the
globe with it's glad tiding of great
Joy" and has oNpcrlo-co1 GROWTH
uneoua.ed u religious history. IT'S
adherents comprise ALI ella cs of peo-
pie. from the high Government OH
cial to the lownest laborer, and all
are devoutedly grateful for this
Truth which has opened to them the
Bible and given them just cause for
rejoicing i'm a demonstratable under
standing of the teachings of the Mas
ter To student OF the Bible there
is little question that from beginning
to end its purport is TO outline to
mankind the divine principle Of ex-
istence i'm demonstration whereof we
are freed not only from sin but from
all the besetting ills of the flesh. The
Scriptures throughout give us instan-
ces of the healing of sickness as a re-
suit of the understanding of this di-
vine principle of existence, and the
browning work of the Masters ca
reer was his complete overcoming of
"the world, the flesh and the DEVIL
He not only healed the sick and the
sinner but taught that we should do
likewise. Hear his words in John IA:
II "He that believeth on me, the
works tn, | do shall he do also; and
greater works than these shall he do
."and from Mark 10: II and Is "And
these signs shall follow them that be-
lieve; in my name shall they cast out
devils; they shall speak it with new
tongues; they shall take up serpents;
and if they drink any deadly thing,
it shall not hurt them; they shall lay
hands on the sick, and they shall re-
cover" Christian Scientists believe
that Jesus meant just what he said,
and the early Christian church was
noted for the healing of the sick for
several centuries after the death of
Christ. This healing work was con-
tinued as part of the religion Of the
early church until materlism crept in
and blinded men to the truths of spir-
it.
Christian Science is a religion of
love and Christian Scientists have
found nothing in the Bible which
would permit them to in any way
critic the religion of brother man.
Christian Scientists do not proselyte
and it is not their desire to force
their religious views upon anyone,
but for the benefit of those who are
interested enough to desire correct
information, various public libraries
throughout the country have been
provided with their literature; in AL
ma there may be found at both the
Michigan Masonic Home Library and
at the College Library the Christian
Science textbook, Science and health
with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary
Baker Eddy and other authorized
books on this subject. In view of the
misrepresentation concerning this
subject which have been made in your
city / would respectfully recommend
to those interested a careful study of
these books.
Yours truly,
W =. Fitzpatrick
Committee on Publication