Article May 20, 1911 Issue

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND THE CHILDREN

C. A. Q. NORTON.

One of the would-be arguments frequently used against the practice of Christian Science is the statement that "adults have the right, if they choose, to employ Christian Science treatments; but to force children to submit to the practice is inhuman, and should be prevented by law." There would be greater weight to this supposed argument if the evidence was not wholly against it, and if the fallacy was not advanced by those who have no understanding or experience in Christian Science.

Few of the experiences that enter into the activities of a Christian Science practitioner's work afford a greater sense of satisfaction than the treatment of children. It is a fact, often commented upon by those not directly interested in Science, that children in families where Christian Science is practised are less liable to the so-called diseases incident to childhood. It is not uncommon in Christian Science families for the children wholly to escape the ills supposed to be common in the early years of a child's life. In cases where the little ones do come under the physical manifestations of sickness, the disease is almost always of a mild form and quickly disappears, not running its supposed course, but terminating without leaving any so-called ill results. The plastic mind of a child soon learns to confide in the thought atmosphere about it. It there is an absence of all fear in the parents, the little one reflects their trusting thought and soon learns to regard as false the unreal conditions; therefore it has nothing to fear. This calm mental state of the child robs disease of its most potent element of supposed power, for without fear disease becomes merely a misunderstanding of the law that governs the natural functions, which become normal through right understanding.

Love engenders confidence, so that the child quickly responds to the loving plea of Science treatment. The depressing suggestion that something very serious is the trouble is not forced upon the tender consciousness of the little patient. No grave nurse stands by the bed, watch in hand, solemnly counting the fluttering pulse-beats. The anxious face, whose professional gaze betrays the presence of doubt and fear, is not bending over the loved one, for mother is there with her strong assurances of the protecting care of divine Love. There are no suggestions of nauseous drugs, no herding with hot-water bottles, and no smothering blankets that imprison the child from its play; instead, the little one asks for Science help as naturally as it asks for food, or, as is often the case, the child has been taught to defend and help itself, and this it often does with perfect success. Children in Christian Science families have been so thoroughly taught that "obedience is the offspring of Love" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 117), that the affectionate wish of the parent is all the instruction needed to bring compliance with the laws of Truth which the child has come to know will make it free.

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