Editorial October 21, 1916 Issue

Taking Off the Tag

William D. McCrackan

The word tag, though perhaps somewhat less elegant than the word label, is nevertheless a perfectly legitimate dictionary designation. A tag is a slip of some kind which is attached to things, and occasionally to people, in order to serve as a description or to claim ownership. We are all familiar with the game of tag played by children. One child is called "it," and straightway attempts to catch another child in order to pass on this undesirable designation.

In some cities of the United States the habit has recently arisen of collecting funds for certain causes, many of them doubtless most worthy ones, by instituting what are known as "tag days." Upon going out on the street the inhabitant or the visitor is offered one of these slips; if he accepts it, the tag is pinned to his coat and he pays for it. There is likewise a custom in many cities which consists in putting up placards on houses, announcing in very big letters the names of certain diseases. In such instances the placards have been forced upon the inmates, and they are paying the price very unwillingly.

It would seem as though the adversary, commonly known as the devil, and scientifically explained as the carnal mind, took particular pleasure in playing the game of tag with defenseless mortals and attaching to them the opprobrious epithet of "it," and in placarding the abodes of men with claims for damages to be paid in the counterfeit currency of disease. The question presents itself to the thoughtful observer, Is it absolutely necessary to submit to an evil designation of sin or sickness? Is there no legitimate and scientific way of taking off mentally what material sense has fastened on physically? Obviously the tendency to accept tamely whatever evil may have to offer must result in formidable accumulations of undesirable possessions. Fortunately, however, humanity through the teachings of Christian Science is now being shown how to refuse such iniquitous offers and to resist false claims through the spiritual understanding that whatever is evil cannot be either necessary or valid. Moreover, Christian Scientists are learning that in facing the temptations of error, politeness is out of place and a curt refusal uttered with spiritual conviction is absolutely in divine order.

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