Graham guardian., 1915-04-30

lSzH2LSLS- J ES02S5sJ l:Io.
The sermon he.
gan with the statement that what a
man believes Is his own business. and
not subject to public criticism; but that
when IL body Of people associate them.
selves. publish their doctrines to the
world and invite members, they lose
the individual privilege, and their doc
trineS are open to public criticism. But
doctrines alone may be criticised; and
they should be honestly treated not
miSrCprcScnted
The Pastor then traced the remarka.
bic growth of Christian Science. Its
teachings appeal to very intelligent
class Of pcOple-a well-to.do class, Of
considerable mental independence. So
far as he has conversed with Christian
Scientists. he finds that physical heal
ing seems more or less associated with
their conversion to their cult. Either
themselves or their friends have been
healed Their realization Of the cure
convinced them that there is a super
natural power outside OF man. and
aroused religious sentiment such as
they had never before known.
sewildered Christendom.
The reason for this is that nominal
Christianity is merely form Of godli-
ness. without power or conviction,
which has spread to such an extent
that the whole world Is styled Chris
lcndum-ChrSt'S Kingdom. Addition
ally during the last fifty years a sin.
core class Of Christians have been
greatly pcrpIcXed because Of the stu,
pCudOuS nonsense. intermingled with
Truth. which waS handed down TO us
from the Dark Ages. Under the in
crrHsing light thinking people could
not swallow some Of the InOnStrous
statements Of the creeds as readily as
did their f0rcfathrrs; and each denom-
:mHtiOm has found 1t necessary to say
little about its creed. Thus people are
bcwildrrch us to the differences be-
tween the various denominations; and
many have concluded that the only diff.
ference Is in forms. ceremonies. etc.
Tho doctrine that God had foreor-
hAinrd 800 out Of every 1000 to an
eternity of torture in fire became too
horrible to believe. The alternative
doctrine. that God did not foreordain
matters thus. but had not the wisdom
Ur the power to avoid such a cataS-
trophc for His creatures. became equal.
~ rCpu%nant Consequently preachers
began To tell that the destiny Of hu.
manity WAS not literal fire. but gnawing
of conscience, etc.-each preacher man.
ufActurinG He'll Of his own.
Under these conditions Christian Sci.
rucr WAS born. Three things especial
ly favored it: th its acceptance OF the
Bible: - its rejection Of everlasting
torment: C3r its teaching Of Divine heal
| ing Mrs Eddy. its acknowledged head,
had II keen mind and considerable wis.
/ dom in its exercise. She held to the
Bible. though she perverted its teach.
ingS She laid stress on healing. and
settled all dOctrinal difficulties with the
lictum that there is no evil. there Is no
sin. no death; that what have been so
called are merely errors Of the mind
The very abSurdity Of some of these
| statements advertised them. At first
| people said Absurd! Later they said,
We will see how Christian Science ex-
plains death. sickness. pain. sin. Thus
curiosity Icd them into the metaphys-
| icAI labyrinth which Mrs. Eddy had
| constructed Having no intelligent
knowledge Of the Bible. they were in
condition to fall I'm easy prey to
Mother Eddy's" errors
Is Christian Science Losieal7
The Pastor then discussed some prob
lruS which Christian Science pre-
>cmtS to all logical minds This cult
{ declares tina, there is no death. and
| that whoever dies merely commits
| mortal error" The fact that for six
| thousand years mankind have died Is
! surely against this theory. II every.
| body commits mortal error" every
| body dies. Even Mother Eddy" final.
/ Iy SurrumIcd The speaker wondered
/ what solution Christian Science offers
Tor this problem.
A"aim. if disease is error. II death is
| the greatest of errors. and II the es-
| Gaping uf "murral error" r"-dcath-brings
/ everlasting life. how do our Christian
| Science friends expect to get everlaSt-
N" life. when Ht the last moment OF
| their trial they make failure? The
ro"oIlary would he hopeless death to
al In this conclusion the Bible agrees:
! 'rhr WAGES Of sin Is death" Sin brings
| 'murlHl error" death.
But the Bible logically points out
/ Gods provision in Christ for mankind'S
/ recovery out Of this death condition by
II resurrection from the dead Il Cor
lI:"l. ~ Those who deny that there
/ is death must Of necessity deny that
Jesus died. and hence deny the Ran
] ytn