Further Newspaper Corrections

Willard S. Mattox

In the last issue of the Sentinel we published several corrections of misstatements concerning Christian Science. These corrections were made by members of the Publication Committee and originally appeared in the various papers which had published the misstatements. We are pleased to say that in most cases when managers and editors have been requested to do so, they have gladly corrected any erroneous statements that may have appeared in their columns.

We herewith publish some recent corrections of the erroneous statement that Christian Scientists are indifferent about the observance of health ordinances and the matter of sanitation and infection.

Not Deliberate Neglect.

Editor The Times:—On November 14, a dispatch from Cleveland was published in your paper regarding the prosecution of Mrs. Lydia Stone, a Christian Scientist, in the Police Court there. I desire to say that the neglect by the Christian Scientist in reporting the case to the Health Department, was merely a technical violation of the health ordinance, and was not deliberate neglect.

Christian Scientists have proved themselves for so many years law-abiding citizens, upholding the local, state, and national government staunchly and loyally, adhering in every respect to the laws prescribed for the benefit of the community, that they cannot now be charged with being a menace to others. There are hundreds upon hundreds of people in Cleveland, O., and in your own city of Buffalo, who testify daily to restored health and better morals, all from Christian Science. The charge against the Christian Scientist in this case was that of violating the health ordinances. I learned, upon investigation, that the sanitary officer gave the Christian Scientist to understand that if she had reported the case immediately after it had been named by the physician, she would have complied with the law, but it was left in other hands and reported later to the Health Department.

Yours truly, Willard S. Mattox.
New York, December 8, 1900.
Buffalo (N. Y.) Evening Times.

Christian Scientists Make a Protest.

Editor of The Courier:—Will you kindly record a protest against the mistaken notion, voiced in an editorial paragraph in your issue of the 20th, that Christian Science parents are careless of their own children's health, and regardless of the health of others. Nothing in the history of Christian Science, in Buffalo or elsewhere, will furnish warrant for any such assumption. Watch the Christian Science families in Buffalo, note the general health of adults and children, and the small death rate; remark on the scrupulous regard for others exhibited by all members of this denomination, and I feel sure that all doubt or conjecture as to the real attitude of the Christian Scientist toward his fellows will give place to a frank admission that such criticism as is made in the article referred to is undeserved.

Christian Scientists do not disregard sanitary regulations, nor any precautions affecting the general welfare of the community in which they live. It is equally untrue to suggest that Christian Scientists "take delight in allowing infected children to run at large." This is a serious accusation, and the writer of it would find it impossible to substantiate or prove such a statement. While Christian Scientists know that God is their support, and that the Christ Mind heals them, they are not careless and indifferent to the matter of sanitation and infection.

Willard S. Mattox.
New York, November 21, 1900.
Buffalo (N. Y.) Courier.

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