To the Editor.
Mark Twain's greatest misfortune is that he feels compelled to sustain his reputation as a wit, a humorist, a very funny fellow. He must live, and to live he must make people laugh—for that is his profession. It is Mark Twain who writes, not Mr. Clemens.
Does any one suppose that the North American Review would have paid him for any serious article in reference to Christian Science—anything that would calmly, charitably, and dispassionately state the case and his opinion of it after a serious investigation of the facts? One need only to read, side by side, in the Boston Journal of the other day, extracts from the magazine article written by Mark Twain, and a criticism of the same by Mrs. Eddy, the one flippant, inconsequent, so-called wit; the other dignified, reverent, and patient, to form a very fair opinion concerning the spirituality of the two writers.
If Christian Science has never cured one single case of disease its teachings to do right, to love and trust God, and to love one's neighbor as one's self are sufficient to make a tremendous power for good among us—to exempt it from ill-mannered, snarling attacks, and to entitle it at least to tolerant welcome, if not to our active support.
One Who is Not a Christian Scientist, but who Believes in Fair Play. Boston Journal.
