Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-12
THE PEOPLES FORUM

Editor of the Harrisburg telegraph:
In the Saturday issues of Harris
burg papers, clergyman who should
be better employed, announced his
intention to preach a sermon against
Christian Science on the ground that
it is u false religion. Evidently
aware of the fact that he cannot
prove his faith by his works suffi-
GENTLY to satisfy the members of his
church, and aware also that he is
not complying with Christ Jesus
imperative command to his follow
ers to heal the SICK" he attempts
to eVade the real issue and the test
which Jesus gave of u true follow
ing and says, or is quoted as saying:
Il am not so much concerned about
the reputed cures of these people" /"
The physicians can settle this point
CT difference" etc.
Christian Scientists can have only
sympathy for n clergyman in this
plight. lie can hardly do otherwise
under the circumstances. There is
no occasion to quarrel with physi-
clans, their methods being too dis
similar for that. Christian Scientists
wish them we'll in their efforts TO re-
lteve the sick and suffering. AS to
the reverend gentleman's attempt to
discuss the atoning blood and work
of Christ Jesus and other Christian
teaching, as reported in the Tele-
graph, and thereby show Christian
Science to be q false religion, IL can
be truthfully said, he has woetully
failed in the attempt His efforts
show that he is only using a form OF
intolerance, more appropriate to a
past age than to the present, in an
eftort to bolster up q waning conf
dence in a religion which for centur-
les has repudiated the most vita
part OF Christs teaching, namely, its
practical part.
The issue cannot be evaded by in
tolerance and a Pharisaical spirit oil
selfrighteOusness. The time ha.
come when clergymen must meet il
by works that prove their religion
to be true and efficacious in healing
sickness and sin, or it will be repu.
dated by those who can discern the
signs of the times. The refining fire
of spiritual truth has already beer
kindled in the hearts of the people
and none can stay its progress.
this refining process offends clergy
men then woe to the world because
of offences, for it must needs be tina
| offences come"
|
| quirements Christian Scientists ar
preparing to face unflinchingly ant
with the utmost confidence, ready t,
| give a reason for the faith that is il
them. The reliable proofs in favo
! of Christian Science healing are s.
abundant, coming from clergymer
| physicians and every other source
as to make any man who attempt
to retute the fact appear silly in tn
eyes of better informed people
Some members of the gentleman
congregation have already expresse
their regrets for his unjust attac
upon another religion with NANTES
shame. They can readily see 10
| themselves, by comparing the re
marks of this unhappy critic wit
facts in their own knowledge, an
with the writings of Mrs. Eddy, tia
it is hard to find a single statemen
in what this critic said or publishe
that bears the stamp of truth upo
it.
Now with reference to the healin
accomplished in Christian Science.
support of which the strongest kin
of evidence can be produced frol
reputable sources, and covering ever
known disease or disorder, organi,
functional, malignant or otherwis,
diagnosed as such by physicians, le
it be understood that in this healin
process Christian Science practition
ers do not diagnose nor treat diseas,