Article May 1, 1915 Issue

The speech made by Senator Works of California in the...

The Herald

The speech made by Senator Works of California in the United States Senate was head-lined in the daily papers as an effort to obtain a government recognition of Christian Science. The speaker's aim was not sensational; it was merely to file a sincere protest against the organization or administration of the department of public health in such a way that the curative powers of Christian Science are not recognized, and Scientists are required to submit to regulations and practices inconsistent with their religious beliefs. One does not need to be a Christian Scientist in order to sympathize entirely with their protest in this matter. Here is a body of people, steadily increasing in numbers, whose religious beliefs involve the principle that divine Love is the true source of all healing. Is it consistent with our ideas of religious freedom to say to them: You can worship and believe as you choose, but we shall reserve the right to vaccinate and fumigate you as often as we please, and if need be we shall make you drink our medicine.

Whatever opinions we may individually hold as regards the relative efficiency of prayer and paregoric, we are at liberty to evidence by our own practice; but when we seek through governmental regulations to force our ideas literally down unwilling throats, we do not show much advance from the position of our forefathers, who employed the stocks and the ducking-stool to discourage opposing convictions. No one who has taken the trouble to investigate the facts can doubt that many persons have been restored to health by Christian Science. This being true, there seems to be no reason why it should not be taken into account by health officials. The senator's position is well taken, and his protest should be heeded. If you do not agree, reverse the situation. Ask yourself how you would like to be obliged to submit to Christian Science treatment.

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