The beginning of a new year is indeed a good time for evaluating where we've been, that we may better see our way forward. Our immediate yesteryear, 1985, was a year both fraught with challenges and rich with fruitage for the Christian Science movement. The Christian Science Sentinel has kept us informed throughout the year of the nature and status of these challenges and this fruitage. Now suppose we compare the history of Christian Science in 1985 with an earlier year—say, 1885.
In 1885, some of the major issues facing our Church were the unusual attacks against the teaching and healing work of Christian Science—just as were the issues of 1985. A historian records the words of a critic in 1885 who felt that " 'the science is waning' and would soon disappear."Robert Peel, Mary Baker Eddy: The Years of Trial (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971), p. 158. Some current critics might agree.
Yet the history of Christian Science survived 1885, and it has also survived 1985. In fact, the stirring of opposition in each of these years may well be viewed as the effect of divine Truth, purifying and strengthening its messenger, the Cause Mrs. Eddy founded. What she wrote a century ago applies aptly today: "The combined efforts of the materialistic portion of the pulpit and press in 1885, to retard by misrepresentation the stately goings of Christian Science, are giving it new impetus and energy; calling forth the vox populi and directing more critical observation to its uplifting influence upon the health, morals, and spirituality of mankind."Miscellaneous Writings, p. 245.
