Article January 25, 1919 Issue

Your correspondent, "C. H. C.," is unnecessarily disturbed...

Judge Clifford P. Smith

Springfield (Mass.) Union

Your correspondent, "C. H. C.," is unnecessarily disturbed because the Christian Scientists in Boston have continued to hold their church services during the influenza epidemic. Apparently he failed to notice that church services were not forbidden here. The only "prompt measure" needed to close the Christian Science churches here or elsewhere during an epidemic of communicable disorder would be an order from the proper official. No such order was issued in Boston; and for at least one good reason, no such order was needed. This reason was well stated by Governor Carl E. Milliken of Maine. He said: "I felt it my duty to call to the attention of the local authorities the necessity of drawing a distinction between essential and nonessential assemblies in dealing with health conditions. It seemed to me that churches and schools should be kept open as long as possible; in fact, that they should be the last, not the first, to be closed." Doubtless the same reason prevailed with the health officers here.

There is the most weighty reason why, at least in a Christian community, a distinction should be made between the different kinds of gatherings at a time when salvation from evil is particularly needed. This reason was stated in the following words by him whom Christian people call the Savior: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The Christian Scientists of Boston gathered together in this manner; and no harm resulted to anyone. On the contrary their meetings were beneficial to at least all who attended them.

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