CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Has been exposed to a great deal of violent criticism, which analysis shows to have been based upon a partial or complete misunderstanding of the subject. "A little learning is a dangerous thing," and the critics of Christian Science for the most part have given this profound and infinite theme only a cursory examination, and then have rushed in where angels, knowing better, would not dare to tread. Even when the criticism seems to be founded upon a more unprejudiced and therefore more scientific research, if it is inimical to the integrity of this religious and ethical teaching, it is born of ignorance, because to really understand Christian Science, to actually know, by demonstration, that its statements are true, means to love it, and to love it means that it would be impossible to hate it, impossible to find fault with it. Whether the criticism be intemperate and malicious, or judicial and quasi favorable, its root is found in ignorance, and its remedy is readily seen to' be education.
In searching for a cause of the criticism referred to, happily now lessening, it is fair to ask ourselves if we have been responsible for any part of the general misunderstanding. To be sure, we know that hatred of good is the cause of all opposition to good. This accounts for the merciless persecution of Jesus. He was misunderstood, and from this perverted sense of his mission and of his utterances, arose the malignant hate which culminated in the unspeakable tragedy of Calvary. There is also another reason for the hostility to Christian Science, and this is found in the chronic inability of the material mind to comprehend spiritual statements. Mrs. Eddy speaks of this difficulty in Science and Health, and points out that the English language is not adequate to convey the vast truths embraced in the Science of infinite being.
In spite of these constitutional difficulties, the truth makes itself known at all times, in some way, through avenues which are most open to the expression of truth. In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy has succeeded in stating spiritual facts so clearly, that the faulty mechanical conveyance of language has not been able to obscure the saving idea. This she has done partly by means of the special capitalization which she employs, using familiar words in a special sense. Nevertheless, though she has made very precise and definite explanation of her purpose and given a painstaking elucidation of the unusual features of her terminology, Mrs. Eddy's book has been grossly misunderstood. How much greater the likelihood of misjudgement, when these extraordinary scientific statements are made verbally by students of this Science.
