CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12611, 23 November 1926, Page 6

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

(To the Editor “N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—Will you allow me to state some facts to offset the article appearing in the “Times” of the 13th inst., beaded “Christian Science in the Docxi"’ As no indication is given as to who, or what, the “three leading scientists” are, it is difficult to conjecture what exact knowledge of truth tliey claim to demonstrate, seeing that tile synopsis of their book proves that it is mostly falsities about, not of, Christian science. During her last illness, of a few days, Mrs Eddy was attonded only by Christian Scientists. After she passed on, in compliance with the law of the State, a medical man was culled in to curtify as to the cause of death. It is certainly surprising to find how many and various are the men and teachings that are credited with being the source of Mrs Eddy’s discovery of Christian Science and of her writings. “Dr” Quimby (he was “Dr” by courtesy only) was a magnetic healer, to whom Mrs Eddy went for help some years before she made her discovery of Christian Science, and from whom she obtained no lasting benefit. He claimed to stand “outside all religious belief ” hence his son’s statement that his father “did not contribute to Mrs Eddy’s religious teaching,” and his. objection to Christian Science, which is essentially a religion, are quite reasonable. He did claim, however, that Mrs Eddy learnt from “Dr” Quimby “the treatment of disease mentally.” Such treatment was not peculiar to “Dr” Quimby, nor was it ever a pait of Christian Science practice, if tho so-called human will is regarded as a factor in such treatment. “The physical healing of Christian Science results -now, as in Jesus’s time, from the operation of Divine principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness, and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation.” (Pref. p. xi., “Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy.) Branson Alcott’s writings are unknown to me, but if, as claimed, he was a “mystical writer,” that fact precludes him from anything in common with Christian Science. Mrs Eddy, in the book already referred to, devotes a chapter to Spiritualism, and shows how it and mysticism are entirely opposed to Christian Science. The statement that Mrs Eddy’s writings are the “Bible” of Christian Scientists is also false. Christian Scientists use the English Bible, known as the King James version, for daily study, and at all their church services. The Christian Science textbook* is, as claimed, a “key to the Scriptures,” or a commentary on the spiritual teaching of the Bible and its application to every condition of pre-sent-day human experience. That large sums of money are received by the Mother Church of Christian Science in Boston is not disputed. Its church activities and welfare work call for huge expenditure, and its members throughout the world cheerfully contribute to its funds in various ways. Then, again, Mrs Eddy’s fortune was the result of her writings and wise investments of the money received from them. She spent large sums during her lifetime in Massachusetts and New Hampshire in charity, in civic improvements, and on her church, to which, in trust, she’bequeathed the remainder of her fortune, after providing handsomely for her son and his family and for members of her household and other friends.

Mathematics is not condemned because its students fail to grasp all at once its principle and rules for solving all problems in that science, nor should Christian Science bo placed “in the dock” because Christian Scientists have not yet fully understood and demonstrated all the truth to which Christ Jesus bore witness. The following testimonies are worth reading, as they are by men who are well known, and in a position to judge. Dr Richard C. Cabot, of Harvard University, says: “Tho good effects of Christian Science I see on all sides. I have not the slightest doubt that it does good; that it cures disease, organic as well as functional, only I do not want anybody to say ‘And nothing else cures.’ ” Dr Charles Hunter, of the University of Manitoba, says: “Christian Science has helped many persons suffering from diseases, which to the medical practitioner had defied diagnosis. . . Christian Science, furthermore, has brought relief to individuals who were victims of organic disorder, proving that psychotherapy is not solely confined to functional diseases.” Dr Drummond Shiels, M.P. for Edinburgh, recently' stated in the British House of Commons: “Some of the most remarkable cases I know of, wonderful cures, have been in connection with Christian Science, which I have seen myself and know.” Such evidence from those who are not Christian Scientists is well worth pondering.—l am, etc., MADGE BELLChristian Science Committee on Publication. Auckland, November 16th, 1926.