|If asked why I devote time and labour to the discussion of such
seemingly foolish propositions as those propounded by Mrs. Eddy, my
defence is that I am very much interested in the people who accept
Christian Science, and would like to be of service to them, even though
they may hold me and my motives in derision. Then, again, I feel that
if we stand idly by while the Christian Scientists are concentrating all
their efforts, sparing neither time nor money to spread their
doctrine, we may wake up some morning to find that all our
institutions--newspapers, courts, schools, etc.--have passed under
the control of Mrs. Eddy's followers. That, in my opinion, would be a
national menace.
If the teachings of Christian Science prevail, there will come into
prominence the type of mentality which will dispense with all forms of
inquiry, and accept for authority the "say-so" of a book, a man, or a
woman as all-sufficient and final.
The passive mind easily becomes the plaything or instrument of every
kind of imposture--political, economic, or religious. Non-resistance
will prove the death of free institutions. I am opposed to Christian
Science because I am opposed to the least departure from sanity. I
have no other motive in this propaganda against the new cult. Whatever
undermines the _morale_ of the nation or is hurtful to the free and
rational development of humanity should be combated again and again
until it ceases to be a menace.