Article May 17, 1913 Issue

An editorial in your issue of Feb. 11 takes the position...

Albert E. Miller

Deadwood (S. Dak.) Pioneer-Times

An editorial in your issue of Feb. 11 takes the position that Christian Scientists should pay a license fee for the privilege of practising their religion. The recognition that the Christian Scientist offers prayer for the recovery of the sick in accordance with the spiritual requirement, and that this prayer "availeth much," puts the question on a somewhat broader basis than that which is taken in your editorial. The Christian Scientist offers neighborly aid to those desiring his help; he offers a prayer of understanding which recognizes fundamentally that God is not the author of sickness or of sin, and that a right apprehension of His nature and purpose brings relief from the bondage of sin and disease to those who place themselves in God's care. To take the position that all who pray for the recovery of the sick and sinning should pay a license to the state for the privilege of offering this prayer, is hardly putting this matter in a broad light. If such were to prevail, would not the application of this rule tend to discourage religious growth and development in all communities wherein such a law should obtain? Those who apply to a Christian Scientist for aid do so voluntarily, and they are usually led to make their choice of Christian Science after having attempted to regain their health through other means, which obviously must have proved unsuccessful. Let me assure you that whatever return the Christian Scientist may receive for his service is usually so small that it would make the imposition of a tax decidedly burdensome, even if it were conceded that such taxation were right and proper.

The teaching of Christian Science enables each one to administer to his own needs after he has gained a certain degree of understanding. In cases too numerous to mention it has saved the family purse from what would otherwise have proved a continual drain upon it for medicine and medical attendance. One can readily see that better health and morals inevitably follow the application of a teaching which releases from the bondage of disease, and in a large measure from that of sin, the individual who has, perchance, been groping about in the effort to find relief, and it is an open question whether such relief can readily be acknowledged in monetary terms. Looking at the matter in its broadest sense, purely from the standpoint of public weal, it is hardly justifiable to contend that the Christian Scientist, or any other good Christian for that matter, should be taxed for putting into practise the Bible admonition that we should pray for the recovery of the sick and in our distress turn to God, who, as the psalmist declares, "healeth all thy diseases."

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