Article July 1, 1911 Issue

Christian Science is not opposed to sensible hygiene,...

John M. Dean

Memphis (Tenn.) Press

Christian Science is not opposed to sensible hygiene, sanitation, quarantine, etc. These things are practised by really civilized people everywhere, and a true Christian Scientist goes a step farther than the old proverb, and says: "Cleanliness is a part of godliness." We do not, however, believe in the attempted enforcement of promiscuous, unproved theories regarding which even the most eminent medical men are in constant disagreement with each other, and we sincerely believe that the state has no more right to force these empirical theories upon unwilling subjects than the Christian Scientist has to force others to practise his religion.

The meat in your editorial, however, is contained in the following statements: "The fate of Christian Science is ultimately to be determined, not by the courts, but by the common sense of the public. It will stand or fall, according as it squares or fails to square with that stern test of all physical, social, or moral reforms: 'Does it deliver the goods?'" This is but another way of giving the advice of Gamaliel, when the apostles were on trial before the hostile thought of that day: "Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."

Christian Science asks nothing but "a fair field and no favors." It is either true or false. It is either good or bad. It either heals sickness and sin, or it does not heal them. If it fails to prove its worth along these lines, it is not worthy to exist, and will inevitably fall; but if it is good and true and healing in its ministrations, all the opposition that can be mustered against it will be powerless to harm it. Mrs. Eddy says, on page 474 in Science and Health: "Truth spares all that is true." Then, if truth cannot destroy truth, we certainly have nothing to fear from its opposite, error. But, just as truth is indestructible, error is perishable, and Christian Scientists everywhere are quite willing to have their religion judged by that infallible test. What more can the world require?

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