Editorials

CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS , because of their own experience in emerging from the darkness of despair into the light of a new and glorious hope, are never greatly surprised when they learn that some friend or acquaintance who has been bitterly opposed to their faith has finally seen the truth about it and been healed; therefore they will not marvel greatly over the case of Edward B. Lent, the well-known journalist, from whose statement, as published in the Christian Science Sentinel of March 26, we quote as follows: — Seven years ago I "tried" Christian Science for one whole month.

I have not had sufficient interest in the matter to read or to note from others' reading what the enemies of Christian Science are said to be circulating regarding my history, but my friends have read Sibyl Wilbur's book, "Life of Mary Baker Eddy," and request the privilege of buying, circulating, and recommending it to the public. I briefly declare that nothing has occurred in my life's experience which, if correctly narrated and understood, could injure me; and not a little is already reported of the good accomplished therein, the self-sacrifice, etc.

THE student of Christian Science appreciates the deep significance of the sage's counsel in the book of Proverbs, in which he tells of the priceless value of wisdom and understanding. He speaks of silver and fine gold, then of rubies, and says that these, "and all the things thou canst desire," are not to be compared to wisdom.

ALL who have been born and nurtured in Christian homes, and who have been led to think of the church as a sacred institution which sustains a vital relation to the world's redemption, can but be pained as they note the harsh and ofttimes irreverent criticism to which its teaching is being subjected at the hands of scholarly men today. Both religious and philosophical publications, as well as secular periodicals, teem with articles in which Christian views which have been accepted unquestioningly for centuries are dissected and discarded in a way that must seem shocking and cruel to those who venerate the belief of their fathers.

IN the early experience of many Christian Scientists there comes a time when they feel impelled to talk about their new-found faith to all their friends and associates, "in season, out of season," with the greatest confidence that their hearers will be as glad to hear them upon this subject as they are to talk upon it. To all who are now going through this stage of their career in Christian Science, we venture a few words of caution which may be helpful.

New York, N. Y.

In every age civilized men have sought evidence of a life above and beyond mortality; indeed this demand, this ceaseless longing which would not down, has been regarded as sure proof of man's immortality. Much surprise has been expressed by thoughtful students of the Bible that so little which is definite should have been said by the Old Testament writers, or even by Christ Jesus and his immediate followers, respecting what is called "the future life.

Professor Griggs has said that the hunger for unity and for eternity are the two deepest longings of the human soul. Me might fittingly have added that it is quite impossible for us to think of the kingdom of God, a kingdom in which love is the all-governing law, without recognizing the inherent unity of the subjects of this kingdom together with the naturalness of those prophecies of Christ's universal reign which give assurance of the oneness of his followers, a oneness the nature and completeness of which was defined by our Lord when he said, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.

It is sometimes said by those who are critical of Christian Science, that its adherents are narrow, that they are persons of one idea, even bigoted in their insistence upon one way and only one way of expressing themselves in matters pertaining to their understanding of God, man, and the universe. yet these same critics are not offended by the exactness and "bigotry" displayed by the mathematician, who is equally exact and equally insistent upon the manner in which a problem in mathematics shall be stated and worked out.

[The following letters are self-explanatory, and tell the story of our Leader's generous gift for the further enlargement of the publishing house, and also of the gift from the church at San Jose for the same purpose. The Directors of The Mother Church, as well as the trustees of the Publishing Society and all others interested, are most grateful for these gifts, which will do so much toward extending the efficiency and scope of our publications, and particularly of the Monitor.