Article July 13, 1899 Issue

Persecuting a Cult

The Daily Press-Knickerbocker

Philadelphia physicians, with a spirit worthy of the Roman persecutors during the early Christian era, have decided to commence a national war against the Christian Scientists. It is said that these medical folk are now collecting information from different parts of the United States concerning the practices of Christian Scientists as healers, and when sufficient evidence is obtained, it will be laid before the attorney-general of the United States as an evidence of the necessity of calling the attention of Congress to the alleged abuses of these healers, and securing the passage of a bill that will have the tendency to stop the practice by imposing a heavy fine for its violation.

It would seem to the person who has followed the rapid growth of the new belief that the Philadelphia physicians will have a very large contract on their hands, in this proposed attempt to put down a cult through an appeal to Congress. All over the country the faith cure has earnest and influential followers. Those who believe that they have been helped by the Christian Scientists are ready to stand by the leaders of the new movement, and to give it moral and financial support.

The opponents of Christian Scientists attempt to enforce their arguments by announcing isolated cases in which certain persons, who submitted to the faith curists, have died. To the Philadelphia physicians who hope to crush out this new belief, one might suggest that the Christian Scientists have the undoubted right to collect evidence against the medical profession, on account of failures to cure in certain cases. A surgeon will operate on a patient in the hope of effecting temporary relief, even if he knows that the operation will finally result in the death of the patient. The operation is generally pronounced "successful," and the public is satisfied. In the case of the Christian Scientists, who allege they can effect cures through the mind acting unconsciously upon the body, they are generally condemned when some person dies upon their hands.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Medical, Legal, and Religious Aspects of Christian Science
July 13, 1899
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit