East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-04-25


the proofs. that is. which |
she intuitively felt were obtainable |
a higher and holier under
standing OF the Bible.
A REMARKABLE RECORD.
Unless one has made a study of her
lifework, especially during the period |
Of her greatest activity. the period in
which she instituted and established a
denomination which now spreads
throughout the habitable globe, it will
be difficult IL not impossible for him
to obtain comprehensive understand
ing of this remarkable woman's achieve
ments. Beginning while still an in
valid, by delving into all the authori-
ties she could lay her hands upon,
Questioning and scrutinizing the gen.
orally accepted premises and eonclu-
sions of theological disputants, contin-
uing for years to dig among the theo-
logical debris of centuries in the con-
fident hope of finding the lost key to
the Scriptures: finding it, reburnish-
ing 1t and unlocking the treasures
which she sought, safeguarding them
that they might not be dissipated
among the ignorant, going on to the
teaching of her first student, to the
writing and distributing of her early
pamphlets among chosen few; pre-
pairing and publishing book that has
changed for the better the thought of
millions, founding a College of Meta
physics. in which during seven years
she personally taught over four thou
sand students: organizing the first es-
tablished Church of Christ, Scientist,
acting as its pastor, filling the presi-
dency of the first Christian Science
Association, revising her first work,
writing other books. editing, alone and
unaided, for a period, as well as pub
| fishing the Christian Science Journal,
carrying on direct supervision over
the whole Christian Science movement
down to the smallest important detail
writing, travelling, debating, preach
ing founding q weekly publication
and later on daily, and through it
all compiling a Manual containing by
laws for the government through all
the years to come of the church or
ganization which she had established
What a picture is this! What an ex-
hibit is this of dedicated intellectual
and moral effort, of unselfish and un-
selfed devotion to an idea, conviction
and an inspiration!
The preparation of the Mc'nua
would of itself constitute q monument
to the inspired wisdom of Mary Baker
Eddy, embracing, as il does, rules ant
laws for the government and per
petuation of the Christian Science or
ganization that have withstOod, anC
are destined to withstand all thu
against them by open or by hiddei
foes. 1t has taken centuries to brinj
about the separation of Church ant
State, even in the degree to which it i
ut present acknowledged and main
! tained. The Manual of The Mothe
Church, The First Church of Christ
Scientist, In Boston, Massachusetts, !
destined to be the model of legisla
ton under which in all countries re
, ligious worship in the future will b
assured of freedom from State regu
lation and political interference.
There Is still existent a, certai
amount of irritation in some quarter
because Christian Scientists, to use
common phrase, make SO much c
Mrs. Eddy" Some of our critics ex
press the opinion that the name G
Mrs. Eddy occurs too often in Chris
tian Science services in Christia
, Science testimonials, and In Christia
Science writings. 1t will have to b
admitted that as q matter of fac
Christian Scientists do make much c
Mrs. Eddy, but a very simple reaso
for it should be sufficient justification
l They make so much of Mrs. Eddy, bt
cause Mrs. Eddy has made so much {
them. But there Is another, and
stronger reason: Christian Scientis
5 make so much of Mrs. Eddy, becaus
: not to understand and appreciate he
, would mean failure to understand an
5 appreciate the truth which God ha
r revealed through her to the world.
Y | believe the lawyers in this aud
{ ence will agree with me that there
g nothing in the line of testimony thu
' goes farther with court or jury tina
I that which comes freely at first han'
: This it was that gave immeasurabl
{ strength to the preaching of the Apo'
{ tie Paul This is was that down
| our time gives SO much weight to n
epstles Christian Scientists do nj
J feel hurt nor offended when the rigl
of their revered Leader to so muc
+ recognition and gratitude Is question
, ed, for they attribute such criticism
, lack of understanding of the fact
Many, perhaps very great man
, who are today numbered among thos
: who never miss an opportunity of e,
, pressing gratitude to her were at on
2 time numbered among the people VIII
, became impatient at the mere mer
ton of her name Neither do Chris
tian Scientists feel hurt and offende
when doubts of the healing power {
, the faith they hold is voiced in the
presence, for, very likely, they hA
, been at one time audible doubtei
themselves. They would rather, il
, deed, come into personal contact wit
the vigorous, robust, outspoken, hor
est doubter, than with one who
, oyerready to accept SUPERFICIAL
everything that is offered, withor
looking for proof, and without prope
consideration or Investigation.
SCIENCE OPEN WIDE TO INQUIR
The more questions an inquire
asks in Christian Science. the NOR
proof he demands. the more determin
ed he Is TO investigate for himself, tn
more promising convert and the bette
church member and worker he be
comes eventually, II is safe TO 50