Article September 11, 1909 Issue

WHEN MATERIAL MEANS HAVE FAILED

WILLIS F. GROSS

Material things seem real to mortal consciousness, and to this consciousness it seems natural to look to materiality in some form to supply whatever is needed or desired. In times of sickness and suffering, the thought of most mortals turns instinctively to materiality for help, and so long as the need seems to be met in this way they are content to rely on material remedies. This is all due to education and to universal belief in the efficacy of drugs and other material agencies. When material remedies fail, then the wisdom of this world says that there is no hope; that nothing more can be done for the unfortunate one. He must rely on "nature" to remedy the difficulty, and if the trouble is not removed in this way, it must continue its course to the end. This experience is by no means an uncommon one. Thousands are today in bondage to disease and suffering who are persuaded that—all known remedies having failed in their case—it is required of them to face the situation with as much fortitude as they can command.

The following incident is a good illustration of how little those who have trusted to material methods have to depend upon when these remedies fail them. A physician who was testifying in behalf of the plaintiff in a suit for damages, was asked what treatment he would prescribe for the disease with which the plaintiff was afflicted as the result of an accident. He replied that there was not much that could be done. He would perhaps prescribe a little tonic, but the principal thing he would recommend was rest and quiet. Evidently from his point of view there was no drug or other material remedy that could supply what was needed in the case.

Another physician, testifying in the same case, was asked what would produce the physical infirmity with which the person under consideration was afflicted. Unhesitatingly he replied that worry would produce it. When he was asked what remedy he would prescribe, he said that the treatment of this disease had been very unsatisfactory, and all that he could prescribe was rest and quiet and perhaps a change of scene.

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