"Then he certainly must be a very bright man to know what Christian Science is. For a man that can know all about a science of any kind without taking instructions, without studying, without reading, without seeing the text-book of that science, is certainly a remarkably wise man." "But, Walter, he got his information in a different way." "How was that, father?" "His friend Dr. Thompson bought a 'Science and Health' and told him all about it." "Was Dr. Thompson ever taught Christian Science?" "No, I guess not." "Did he ever study or read 'Science and Health'?" "He intended to read it, but when he saw such ridiculous assertions in it, he considered it folly to read it," said the pastor. "Another one of those wise men that know all about a science without instruction, study, or reading." "What do you mean, Walter?" "Father, if Dr. Thompson had told you that he knew all about medicine by simply glancing into a medical book, would you believe him?" "Certainly not!" "And if he had found therein some quotations that he did not understand, would you think it strange?" said Walter. "No." "And if he should tell you that those quotations which he did not understand were rubbish and nonsense, would you consider him a good authority?" "No, how could he be," replied the pastor. "Then, why should you believe him in regard to Christian Science, when he confesses that he never studied or read the text book of this science?" "But everybody says there is nothing to Christian Science," said the pastor. "So did everybody say the earth was flat until it was proven round," replied Walter. "That's the point exactly; none of our learned men have been able to prove that the claims of Christian Science are true," said the pastor quickly. "That is because they do not go to those who can furnish the proof." "Who can prove it, Walter?" "Many thousands of those who were healed and the practitioners in particular." "Parson Jones said they are a lot of hair-brained women." "Does that make them so?" asked the boy. "No, yet he ought to know what he is talking about." "Did Parson Jones ever have a talk with one of those hair-brained women, as he calls them?" "No, I don't think he did, but he says he has investigated this cult sufficiently to know there is nothing in it," said the pastor, rather quietly. "I suppose, father, he gave it what you call an impartial investigation, and probably went about it in the same way you did. You went to a man for advice on a subject he had never studied and who was so prejudiced he would not take the time to prove whether it was right or wrong, yet he professed to know all about it, and advised you to let it alone. Now, father, if you wanted advice pertaining to a foreign country, would you go to a man who had never been there, and hadn't even read about it, or would you go to some one who had lived there for many years?" "I should certainly go to the man who had been there," said the pastor.