CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS are always glad to hear of criticism of their doctrines and practice, if only it be fair and if the critic does not claim to have a complete knowledge of the subject when he has only the dilettante's point of view. The time has gone by when any thoughtful person, especially one with religious conviction, can afford to admit ignorance of Christian Science. Those are best fitted to discuss this teaching who not only read "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" in connection with the Bible, but who also endeavor to demonstrate the basic truths therein stated in the overcoming of sin and disease.
The writer knows from personal experience in the orthodox church that the constant study of the Bible creates a ceaseless demand for the Christ-healing from childhood up, especially in times of sickness and sorrow, when material means fail utterly to give relief; and how terrible is the blow which falls when a religious adviser tells such a one that he must not look for any manifestation of the Christ-power in this age. But the faith which is born of man's spiritual nature will not down with such denials of Truth's ever-presence and all-power, and it gropes on until the same light breaks which dazzled Saul on his way to Damascus, and, as in his case, leads to the healing and then to more light. Those who learned to love Christ Jesus in the old church, and who love him even more (because they understand his teaching better) in Christian Science, will be interested to read some extracts from a sermon preached in Scotland, not long since, and published in a local paper. The text was: "He that is not against us is for us," and the clergyman said,—
It is an interesting fact that the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science is a woman, Mary Baker Eddy, still alive and delivering occasional messages to her devoted followers. This, I believe, is a unique fact in the history of religion. According to the record of the Old Testament the woman was first in transgression, and was the primary cause of the race being expelled from paradise; but if the claims of Christian Science be granted, then a woman is to lead the race back into a yet more glorious paradise.
