Newspapers / Brevard College Student Newspaper / Dec. 8, 1951, edition 1 / Page 4
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PAGE FOUB CLARION DECEMBER 8, 1951 ^^Rg^»wi2_Reyela.tion, Demonstration;** Christian Science Church Founded By Mary Baker Eddy; Administration Is In Boston Tim im^sing edifice is The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. Largest of the churches in Boston, The Mother Church has over 3.000 branches throughout the world. (Editor’s Note: This article, concerned with the structure of the Christian Science church, is third in a series of commentaries on religions of today as explained by members of the student body at Brevard college. Subsequent issues will carry explanatory es says on these denominations: Christian (Disciples of Christ), Chm-ch of God, Dutch Reformed, Eptecopal, Moravian and Presby terian. This article was written by Tom Neal, Jr., with advice and assistance of Judge Fred H. H^ty, Christian Science Com mittee on Publication for North Carolina.) The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Bos ton, Massachusetts, with its more than 3,000 branch churches and so cieties throughout the civilized world, represents Christian Science. This religious organization has its theology based on the New Testa ment teachings of Jesus, the Christ, ind was founded by Mary Baker Eddy. In 1879 the First Christian Science was formed by Mrs. Eddy and her small band of followers. Mark Twain’s final reversal of previous judgment on Christian Science comes today as news to many: “Christian Science is hu manity’s boon ... She (Mrs. Ed dy) has organized and made avail able a healing principle that for two thousand years has never been employed except as the merest kind of guesswork. She is the benefac tor of the age.” Mary Baker Eddy Born of New England parents, Some Facts Regarding Christian Science Christian Science is Christian. It is based on the teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Bible (Author ized King James). Christian Science is scientific: Spiritually logical and unfailingly consistent, its prayers affirm and demonstrate man’s true nature to be in accordance with God’s per fection, since (Jod is the real au thor of man. Furthermore, to the sincere seek er, a thoughtful study of the Chris tian Science textbook Science And Health With Key to the Scriptures By Mary Baker Eddy furnishes convincing assurance that Christian Science is demon strable and satisfying. Courtesy, Christian Science Read ing Room, 44 Patton Avenue, Ashe ville, and First Church of Christ, Scientist, 64 N. French Broad Ave nue, Asheville. The textbook may be bought, borrowed or read at Christian Science Reading Rooms throughout the world. Mary Baker was as a child frail and sickly. She early became ac quainted with the Bible, with Greek and Latin scholars and phi losophy. Her brother, a prominent statesman, tutored her in science, math, Hebrew, French and classi- pl languages. The Congregational influence of a deeply religious mother prompted Mary Baker to probe the depths of Scripture. It is recorded that at a young age she was admitted into the church although she did not adhere to all of the Congregational beliefs; but because of her deep spiritual un derstanding she was accepted into the membership of the church. Often Christian Scientists are charged with the worship of Mrs. Eddy. This charge is far from the truth. Mrs. Eddy is revered as the discoverer and founder of Christian Science. She is author of the Chris tian Science textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, founder of the Christian Science MONITOR, JOURNAL, SENTINEL, as well as author of numerous books con cerning Christian Science, includ ing the Church Manual. Purpose Of Science In the words of Mrs. Eddy, Christian Science is a religion de signed to . . . “reinsitate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” It is a religion devoted to the study of the nature of God, of Christ, His Beloved Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine ■ Comforter and man in God’s im age and likeness. The search for an understanding of God, Christ and man in Grod’s image and likeness, in an effort to restore primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing, ex plains some of the unusual fea tures of the Christian Science church and its activities. Because of the high purpose of this chxirch, members are admitted only after examination by local Board of Di rectors, In line with this high goal and purpose, the church is devoted not only to the worship of God, but to a reaching out to understand and obey Him to a degree that heals 'Ihe sick as well as the sinner. Noth ing is permitted to interfere with this holy and spiritual purpose; no church entertainments nor socials, no fund-raising nor evangelistic mem^rship campaigns, no com mercialism nor participation as a chinch in community or other ac tivities no matter how worthy they may be. The church endeavors to worship and find God in as spiri tual a manner as is humanly pos sible. This, of course, does not mean that Christian Scientists as ^ individuals, do not take part in iand support community activities outside the church. Their religion encourages them to be good citi zens, to help support good govern ment, and to work for the good of all. Many outside of this religion have testified to its healing fruit age both of functional and organic disorders. Dr. William Mayo (Mayo Clinic) and Dr. Richard C. Cabot (Harvard Medical School) have lauded Christian Science and its healing power. Church Organization The business of The Mother Church is transacted by a Board of Directors, in accordance with the Church Manual. The Manual makes provision for Christian Science Societies and Branch Churches, but The Mother Church assumes no official general control over them. Each Society and Branch Church has its own form of gov ernment. Christian Science is character ized as a “layman’s movement.” There is no professional clergy or priesthood. Each member is his own priest. A First Reader, chosen from and by the members, con ducts the church services, reads a Scriptural selection; there is the Lord’s Prayer, silent prayer, a so lo, a collection (at Sunday ser vices), and a lesson-sermon in which a Second Reader reads from the Bible (King James Version) and the First Reader reads correla- liv3 passages from the aenomina- tional textbook, SCIENCE AND HEALTH. Communion services are held twice yearly, but without the use of any material elements or sjmbols, such as bread and wine. This service, as are all services, is devoid of ceremonies or material symbols of any kind. Regular Wed nesday meetings, held usually in the evening, provide opportunities for the congregation to give and hear remarks and testimonies of Christian Science healing. World-Wide Scope The Christian Science Publish ing society in Boston, Massachu- .setts, is one of the largest print ing houses in the world and is known for its beauty and efficien cy. Christian Science articles are —Turn to Page Seven MARY BAKER EDDY, discov erer and founder of Christian Science. (Photograph Copyright 1910, The Christian Science Pub lishing Society. Renewed 1938. Used by permission.) The Christian Science Monitor is a foremost international newspaper, recognized the world over for its excellence in features, adver tising and editorial content. Published by: The Christian Science Publishing So ciety in Boston, Massachusetts. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 6 months, $7.50 — yearly, $15.00 Single copies available at all Christian Science Read ing Rooms. (Courtesy Christian Science Society, Hen dersonville.)
Brevard College Student Newspaper
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Dec. 8, 1951, edition 1
4
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