Article June 8, 1907 Issue

In the account of the Episcopal convention of the Washington...

Edward E. Norwood

The Washington (D.C.) Herald

In the account of the Episcopal convention of the Washington diocese Rev. Mr. S— is quoted as saying, "Rarely now in many places are the clergy called upon to minister to the sick and dying. With the best intentions in the world, physicians often forbid them to see their patients. What wonder that now comes Christian Science, so-called, and forbids the physician himself to see the sick?" It should be remembered that it is the patient himself who chooses the method of treatment, whether a matter-physician or a metaphysician, and in a large number of cases the latter is called in after the former has exhausted his efforts. Yet, under such odds, the large percentage of "hopeless cases" healed by Christian Science is remarkable. The Christian Scientist does not forbid the physician to see the sick. We believe he introduces to the patient the great and only Physician, the ever-present Christ, who is with us always, even unto the end of the world, and relies confidently upon this gracious presence. On the other hand, why should materia medica exclude the clergy from the sick-room? Is it not because the physician fears a mental disturbance in his patient's thought, inducing a fear or expectancy of death, rather than a strengthening and uplifting influence? I trow a physician would be glad to know a Christian Scientist was praying for his patient (and have had many to tell me so), especially if later the credit for bringing about the healing were given to matter instead of to divine Mind, or God. Again, why should not our brother and all Christian ministers, instead of bemoaning the fact that they are excluded from the sick-room, heal the sick themselves? Their Master always coupled the two injunctions, "preach the gospel" and "heal the sick."

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