Article March 23, 1899 Issue

Questions and Answeres

What should Christian Scientists do, with reference to reporting to the authorities, contagious diseases? A practitioner.

This is a most important question. It is not the office of the official publications to lay down specific or iron-clad rules for practitioners. Circumstances are so variant, that it were unwise to attempt it. Jesus said: "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's." Our Leader, the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, re-emphasizes this statement, in Science and Health, and elsewhere, in such a way that she clearly makes it a rule for guidance of her students. There is no one who has greater respect for the laws of the land than she. There is no one who more desires to avoid unnecessary antagonism with the established authorities. This is evidenced in all her writings and sayings.

As we understand her attitude, there is only one point at which the line might be drawn,—that is the sacrifice of principle. Rather than surrender principle and refuse to do God's work in healing the sick, it were better to come into seeming conflict with established conditions; but the case must be very extreme indeed where this cannot be avoided. Love, justice, wisdom and mercy should guide Christian Scientists in all their labors. Thus governed there will be no conflict with human laws. God's law is supreme.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Testimony of Healing

That the practice of Christian Science is not dangerous to...