p. 13 | The Word of God Versus the Word of Man

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 26, 1914

The Word of God Versus the Word of Man

By J. W. Boynton

SOME time ago, while holding meetings in a small village, I called one day at the home of one of the merchants. His wife received me kindly, and began asking questions about Christian Science, and what I thought of it. I told her that I had a little pamphlet that would explain my views of the matter. She purchased one at once, remarking that there were a number of persons of that belief around there.

A few days later I called on the railroad ticket agent in the town. He invited me in, and as I sat down he said, "Well, I have read your book." I asked what book. He replied, "The book on Christian Science you sold to Mrs. —." "O," I said, "and what do you think of it?" He replied, "I do not think you treat us fair." "And why not? Do we not make correct quotations from Mrs. Eddy's book?" "O, yes, that is all right, but you do not understand us. Just look at the great miracles of healing the Christian Scientists perform." "Yes, for the sake of the argument, I will admit your claims for working miracles, but the Bible speaks of two powers that are able to work miracles. The question with me is, By what power do you do them?" He replied, "We believe the Bible, and read it a great deal." "Yes," I answered, "I know you read it, but I do not think you believe it. Now you say you believe the Bible, but Mrs. Eddy says there is no such thing as pain or sickness, while the Bible recognizes both. Mrs. Eddy says that 'alcohol is just as harmless as milk, it is only the belief of men that makes it hurtful.' The Bible recognizes the harmful nature of strong drink, and pronounces a woe upon those who use it, saying that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom. Mrs. Eddy also says that 'when we progress far enough in Christian Science, it will not be necessary for us to partake of daily food in order to sustain physical life.'"

The ticket agent admitted that she said these things, and that he believed them. Then I said: "We read that Adam was given food in the garden of Eden before he sinned; that the angels who came to visit Abraham ate food when it was set before them; that when Jesus was here on earth, he was tired, hungry, thirsty, and sleepy, and that he ate food to sustain his physical strength. Now how far beyond Adam, the angels, and the Master, must we go before we can get along without food?" He could only answer:

"You don't understand us. We take these things spiritually."

I said, "Mrs. Eddy says that Christian Science is the second coming of Christ; modern Spiritualists say that Spiritualism is the second coming of Christ." He hastened to say, "We are not Spiritualists." "No," I said, "but you are teaching the same thing, so I have a right to believe that you are closely related. Now, my Bible says that when Christ comes the second time, he will come with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel; that all his holy angels will come with him; that every eye will see him; and that the righteous dead will rise at that time. Now, did every eye see him when Mrs. Eddy discovered Christian Science? Were the dead raised up?"

He could only say, "You don't understand us." I said: "I may not understand you, but I know what Mrs. Eddy says, and what the Bible says. Now, my brother, if you had a question before you that you must settle tonight, and you could settle it by reference to the Bible or to Mrs. Eddy, the two not being at agreement, which would you choose as authority, the Bible or Mrs. Eddy?" He pondered a moment, then slowly answered, "I think I would choose Mrs. Eddy." "There," I said, "is proof to me that you do not believe the Bible."

Reader, what do you think of it? Is the Word of God to be judged by the sayings of weak men and women, or shall all the words of men be judged by the Word of God?

J. W. BOYNTON.